ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades. May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.
THURSDAY, MAY 17TH, 2018
Sunrise: 6:07 am
Sunset: 8:42 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Pack Rat Day which gives us the opportunity to come out of hiding behind those pieces of valuable stuff and celebrate this fun day.
Pack rat is a term used to describe a person who tends to collect objects both useful and useless and does not easily get rid of them. Today is a reminder that sometimes it’s ok to get rid of old things to make room for newer things.
It’s really easy to let things pile up. After all each item you acquire along the road of life may have value or serve some meaningful purpose. Making the decision to discard something even remotely questionable is difficult, if not impossible to do. Truth is many of us are pack rats.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
William Morris
After living in one place for over 20 years I found out just how much of a pack rat I was. It took me months to clear out all the things I needed to get rid of and it took a lot of help too. I would have never been able to make the move to where I live now if it hadn’t been for all the help from family and friends.
I used to live in a big house and every inch of it was packed. I had the basement, the first floor, the second floor and the attic full of all the things I’d accumulated over the years. Four floors of stuff and a garage full of things was reduced to one floor and a storage shed when I decided to downsize.
I had a room dedicated to crafting too and now it’s only a small nook in the spare bedroom. I only have a carport and not a garage. The only things I can put on the carport besides the car, is some outdoor furniture and my bike.
If I could pass along any advice it would be to keep only those things that are necessary and meaningful to your life. Don’t save things for a someday that may never come. Today’s pictures are of my small space shortly after moving in.
On the bright side I made a delicious fruit crisp yesterday so I thought I’d pass the recipe. Due to the fact that I had blueberries and strawberries that need to be used up, I looked for and found a wonderful recipe.
Blueberry Strawberry Fruit Crisp
2 c. blueberries
2 c. halved strawberries
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
Topping
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. oats
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. cold butter
Butter flavor cooking spray
2 c. vanilla icecream optional
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 11 by 7 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In medium bowl toss blueberries, strawberries, 1/2 c. granulated sugar, 1/3 cup of flour, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Spoon into baking dish.
In separate bowl, mix 1/2 c. flour, the oats, 1/3 c. granulated sugar, the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter, using a pastry blender until mixture looks like course meal. Spring over berry mixture, spray topping with butter flavor cooking spray.
Bake 40 minutes or until topping is bubbly and golden. Serve warm with ice cream.
Today is the day for yard work here at my house. Thankfully it is to be another partly sunny day. I managed to get some flowers and herbs in the flower boxes and I have to remember to water them too. It’s still cool enough to be comfortable outdoors with a pleasant 70 degrees which is what I call perfect.
I hope you all have a GREAT day. Happy Thursday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
It is easier to be happy when you are not surround by the confusion and the clutter of life.
David Baird
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5984. for downsizing, it made my life much easier
5985. for a day with out rain to do the yard work
5986. for flowers to brighten up my days
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS
Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
Almighty and eternal God,
Protect our military
as they discharge their duties
with the shield of your strength,
may the power of your love
enable them to return home in safety
that with all who love them
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT’s
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
ADVICE FOR TODAY
Owning less is better than organizing more.
Joshua Becker
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
6 comments:
We're all pack rats here... I'm always trying to clean things out... I read that if you hold something in your hand and it makes you happy then you keep it, if not then out it goes... That fruit crisp looks yummy... I'm hoping to do some yard work with the grandkids today... 😀
I used to be a terrible pack rat. I'm better now -- still not completely cured -- but a smaller house means I have to be more selective. And once I got used to letting stuff go, it became easier. Have a good weekend, MA.
I like your place you live in now. It is easy to be a pack rat if one has the space to do so, so moving into a smaller place helped you get rid of things you no longer needed or hadn't used in a bit. I try to every year go through things and see what I haven't used in that period of time and then get rid of it (usually coincides with a move we make, LOL). I'm teaching hubby not to be such a pack rat, he's learning, but still has a ways to go :)
betty
Whoa, boy ... I totally ditto your advice about keeping only that which is meaningful or useful! I never considered myself a pack rat, but it's insidious how burdened we became in only 15 years. Our new home isn't that much smaller than what we just sold in Arizona, but is sorely lacking in storage space.
Right now, I'm looking at an old Electrolux vacuum cleaner we never use - or have space for - but I've hung onto because my parents spent so much $ on it for me one Christmas ... more than 40 years ago! I could try and sell it (and the half-dozen new bags), but will probably just send it to Goodwill.
My name is Linda Chapman and I am a pack rat.....as is my husband.
I’ve lived in the same house for over 50 years. I do cycle things in and out on a regular basis. I’d have to or you couldn’t get in the front door.
Your place looks peaceful and pleasant! I’m in awe over the wall space! I love to see it Iin other people's home but I fill up my walls before the paint is even dry! Or even if it's just 2x4’s! It is a condition I seem to have no control over!
But seriously, I love my life and all my walls both at home and here at the ranch. It suits me. But I tell friends, “It’s a nice place to visit but you probably wouldn’t want to live here.” Hahahahaha!
I am doing now what you did, and you are right. Its very hard, but do it we must! I am keeping only what I love and what's useful. What is hard is I love everything I have, lol. Your new home is cosy and welcoming. I love it! God bless! PS - that recipe looks fabulous! xoxo
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