seedlings

I do not have a green thumb, as evidenced below:

...but with cooking more and trying new recipes, I've been wanting to grow my own herb garden. I've started with five different herbs, and I'd also like to try to grow mint, dill and a hot pepper variety if I can get these first few types to grow successfully.

The average lifespan of plants in my care is about five days, but I may be turning over a new leaf considering today I ran home to tend to my seedlings before the storm blew in :)

eliminating perfectionism, keeping life in perspective, remaining hopeful and determined, and embracing a strong community

Philippians 3:12-16

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 ¹⁵ All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

What is "this"? Verses 10-11 state,"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." 


What we can learn from this set of scripture:
1. The plan is progress, not perfection. You cannot escape your own falliable humanity.
2. The past is over; forget it. Bob Buford states,"Too many people approach the second half of their lives with regrets over the first half. Regret is a tough emotion to live down. It haunts you in ways that will sap your strength and inspiration to go on to better things. You cannot change your past, but your past can change you." Keep life in perspective. Richard Ross made a comment that if the novel of your life is four inches thick, only the first three pages are about your life on this earth. The rest is about eternity. 
3. The future holds out hope; reach for it. the Christian life is not passive co-existence but a passionate quest.The story is much greater than what revolves around us. 
4. The key is a determined attitude; maintain it.
5. The need is doing this together. It is the application of truth in relationships with others. 

How intentional are you about your own spiritual maturity? What goals have you set for yourself for this week, this month or this year?

antiquing

Today I shared another breakfast Saturday with my Dad, and we were joined by my Mom for her birthday. I'm so fortunate to have two parents who love breakfast as much as I do. After we went to Pancake Pantry, we walked around 8th Avenue for antique shopping at my Mom's request.

My two favorite places that we visited today were: 

Epiphany Design Studio 

2115 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204-2203 

(615) 385-3289

Karmal-Skillington 

2019 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 

(615) 460-7197

Another go to favorite of mine (that we didn't visit today) is Nest Nashville near Music row:

Nest Interiors, LLC 

1200 Villa Place, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 37212

(615) 383-1511

I've had a hard time explaining my decorating style in the past, but I think the stable things that I love most are oversized pieces of furniture in their natural state (a bit of rustic) like Restoration Hardware except with comfortable linens like cotton and linen fabric in natural hues. I love carved pieces of art, lighting, and added color with pillows and such. I do have a little bit of country style that i like to incorporate as well, seen most with the deep reds, yellow greens, and blue shades. 

happy birthday, Mom!

I've enjoyed being able to share more of my thoughts lately and have enjoyed creating a blog world for my writing (even though I'm not always sure who is out there reading). I can say with certainty, in this regards and many others, my number one constant supporter and friend has always been my mom. Whether it's silently praying for me or not so silently sharing her thoughts or what's she's learning, she always looks out for me and has such a heart for her family and others. Her servant heart is always willing to do something kind for someone else, to make chicken noodle soup and walk a dog when I'm sick even though she's not a dog person, to clean houses or share a meal. She is a living example of humility, always putting others before herself. She offers sound advice, deeply rooted in research and/or scripture. She loves and loves to be loved. I am proud to call her my mom today and everyday. Happy Birthday, Mom!

luck of the Irish

In honor of St. Patrick's day, even though I am neither Irish nor Catholic, here are several reasons why we can appreciate the Irish:

• The Irish have an uncanny positive outlook on life despite circumstances in their life. Whether or not a "pint" has something to do with it, that spirit is something to celebrate!
• Green is an amazing color (my favorite), and their country is full of it
• They honor the integrity of the potato
• They have accents
• Some of the best music and literature was generated from Ireland (Geoffrey Keating, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, etc.) 

Today I googled. I've been curious where the phrase "luck of the Irish" generated. It seems there is no assured answer. Of the ones that I came across, I liked this one from Kelly V. of Ontario Canada the best:

"I had always thought that the 'Luck of the Irish' meant without the bad luck you had no luck at all, but over the years I have come to realize that the 'Luck of the Irish' really means to be lucky at heart, from the support that is given through strong friend and family relations. It sees us through the good times and holds us together through the rough times. That truly is the 'Pot of Gold' at the end of the rainbow."

While I don't hold any faith in luck, being lucky at heart is something we each have the power to control. I like that we can control how we react in situations depite the circumstances.

Also, to celebrate Ireland, here is a picture from Sean's first trip to his homeland, and the same picture post-processing that I did on Photoshop:

Here is a little treasured recipe that Sean makes (and made this week) from Irish Traditional Cooking by Darina Allen. Today I will have some for lunch that he packed for me yesterday. 

Beef and Guinness stew
Serves 6 to 8

2 lb stewing beef
3 tbs oil
2 tbs flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper and a pinch of cayenne
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic; crushed
2 tbs tomato puree, dissolved in 4 tbs water
1 1/4 cups Guinness
2 cups carrots, cut into chunks
Sprig of thyme

Trim the meat of any fat or gristle, cut into cubes of 2 inches (5cm) and toss them in a bowl with 1 tbs oil. Season the flour with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch or two of cayenne. Toss the meat in the mixture. 

Heat the remaining oil in a wide frying pan over a high heat. Brown the meat on all sides. Add the onions, crushed garlic and tomato puree to the pan, cover and cook gently for about 5 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserrole, and pour some of the Guinness into the frying pan. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the carmelized meat juices on the pan. Pour onto the meat with the remaining Guinness; add the carrots and the thyme. Stir, taste, and add a little more salt if necessary. Cover with the lid of the casserole and simmer very gently until the meat is tender-2 to 3 hours. The stew may be cooked on top of the stove or in a low oven at 300 degrees. Taste and correct the seasoning. 

Scatter with lots of chopped parsley and serve. (This would be great on top of mashed potatoes or with a side of boiled potatoes).


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

what it feels like to run

Today I decided to set my pace and just go. Immediately, it felt rewarding. The calories burned began to increase rapidly according to the treadmill. There went my morning coffee! If I could keep the pace for an hour, it said I would burn over 700 calories. I felt a rush, and it seemed all the cares of the world fell behind. It took me to another place where the beat of my feet hitting the ground drove me on. I felt powerful, in control of my body and my mind. That first minute passed, then suddenly with sweat beads dripping off my face, heat rose to my face and my heart began to ache inside my chest. It became so painful as I was gasping for breaths.

I have a long ways to go.

I researched training programs and think I have settled on Couch Potato to 5k.

Couch to 5k Treadmill Version

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:00: Run 6:00-7:30: Walk 7:30-8:30: Run 8:30-10:00: Walk 10:00-11:00: Run 11:00-12:30: Walk 12:30-13:30: Run 13:30-15:00: Walk 15:00-16:00: Run 16:00-17:30: Walk 17:30-18:30: Run 18:30-20:00: Walk 20:00-21:00: Run 21:00-22:30: Walk 22:30-23:30: Run 23:30-25:00: Walk 25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:00: Run 6:00-7:30: Walk 7:30-8:30: Run 8:30-10:00: Walk 10:00-11:00: Run 11:00-12:30: Walk 12:30-13:30: Run 13:30-15:00: Walk 15:00-16:00: Run 16:00-17:30: Walk 17:30-18:30: Run 18:30-20:00: Walk 20:00-21:00: Run 21:00-22:30: Walk 22:30-23:30: Run 23:30-25:00: Walk 25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:00: Run 6:00-7:30: Walk 7:30-8:30: Run 8:30-10:00: Walk 10:00-11:00: Run 11:00-12:30: Walk 12:30-13:30: Run 13:30-15:00: Walk 15:00-16:00: Run 16:00-17:30: Walk 17:30-18:30: Run 18:30-20:00: Walk 20:00-21:00: Run 21:00-22:30: Walk 22:30-23:30: Run 23:30-25:00: Walk 25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk
2	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:30: Walk 8:30-10:00: Run 10:00-12:00: Walk 12:00-13:30: Run 13:30-15:30: Walk 15:30-17:00: Run 17:00-19:00: Walk 19:00-20:30: Run 20:30-22:30: Walk 22:30-24:00: Run 24:00-26:00: Walk 26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:30: Walk 8:30-10:00: Run 10:00-12:00: Walk 12:00-13:30: Run 13:30-15:30: Walk 15:30-17:00: Run 17:00-19:00: Walk 19:00-20:30: Run 20:30-22:30: Walk 22:30-24:00: Run 24:00-26:00: Walk 26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:30: Walk 8:30-10:00: Run 10:00-12:00: Walk 12:00-13:30: Run 13:30-15:30: Walk 15:30-17:00: Run 17:00-19:00: Walk 19:00-20:30: Run 20:30-22:30: Walk 22:30-24:00: Run 24:00-26:00: Walk 26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk
3	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:00: Walk 8:00-11:00: Run 11:00-14:00: Walk 14:00-15:30: Run 15:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-23:00: Walk 23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:00: Walk 8:00-11:00: Run 11:00-14:00: Walk 14:00-15:30: Run 15:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-23:00: Walk 23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-6:30: Run 6:30-8:00: Walk 8:00-11:00: Run 11:00-14:00: Walk 14:00-15:30: Run 15:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-23:00: Walk 23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk
4	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-8:00: Run 8:00-9:30: Walk 9:30-14:30: Run 14:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-21:30: Walk 21:30-26:30: Run 26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-8:00: Run 8:00-9:30: Walk 9:30-14:30: Run 14:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-21:30: Walk 21:30-26:30: Run 26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-8:00: Run 8:00-9:30: Walk 9:30-14:30: Run 14:30-17:00: Walk 17:00-20:00: Run 20:00-21:30: Walk 21:30-26:30: Run 26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk
5	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-10:00: Run 10:00-13:00: Walk 13:00-18:00: Run 18:00-21:00: Walk 21:00-26:00: Run 26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-13:00: Run 13:00-18:00: Walk 18:00-26:00: Run 26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-25:00: Run 25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk
6	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-10:00: Run 10:00-13:00: Walk 13:00-21:00: Run 21:00-24:00: Walk 24:00-29:00: Run 29:00-34:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-15:00: Run 15:00-18:00: Walk 18:00-28:00: Run 28:00-33:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-30:00: Run 30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk
7	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-30:00: Run 30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-30:00: Run 30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-30:00: Run 30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk
8	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-33:00: Run 33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-33:00: Run 33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-33:00: Run 33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk
9	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-35:00: Run 35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-35:00: Run 35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk	00:00-5:00: Warmup walk 5:00-35:00: Run 35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk

I'm interested to see how this works out! (Note: I am by no means athletic). I did thoroughly enjoy day 1 with my new running shoes though. I am sporting a pair of Brooks Glycerine. They are extremely comfortable and supportive!

sharing this joyful moment of celebration

I have only one remaining credit card with a balance left!!!! I am on my way!! Lo and behold, it is possible to live debt free...and I do believe I can make that goal by the end of the year. Now if only I can fight the urge to celebrate by shopping. Hmm.....