The Gratitude Journal

Of Children and Streams and Light in the Trees

Shelly — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:19:29 +0000

It’s not often enough that I leave my house and join my children in their outdoor play. I wish that I would do it more often. Or if not to join in their play, to at least watch them. I love the way they play when a parent is watching. I remember how much more [...]

Refreshment in Cape May

Shelly — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:11:11 +0000

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thunders: the LORD is upon many waters. (Psalm 29:3) I cannot tell you how excited I was to spend a weekend in Cape May, NJ with some 20 women from our Tuesday Tea group at church. It was a wonderful mix of [...]

The {weekly} Daybook.

Shelly — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:20:00 +0000

It’s Monday! So glad you dropped by for a moment today. I hope you’ll enjoy a glimpse into my world though a few photos and thoughts. *** outside my window: and everywhere I go this time of year in beautiful Pennsylvania, I see glory like this . . . *** reading: Mere Christianity by C.S. [...]

A Daughter Who Turned Two.

Shelly — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 20:31:34 +0000

{A Bit of Reflection on a Birthday Past and the Daughter that We Celebrate.} {Phil bought the girls a “best friends” necklace. Sophia has the “best” necklace . . . and Claudia the “friends”.} How does time fly so? Where does it go? I can so clearly remember the days and hours preceding her birth. And the [...]

Good Girl Moonshine

Shelly — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:49:52 +0000

I certainly can’t take credit for this refreshing, invigorating drink, but I have been making countless jars of it, and drinking it down every day since learning about it last week. along with my {seemingly} very thirsty children. *****I have edited this to say that perhaps I am a bit “crunchy” or have weird taste buds . [...]

Food Links to Love!

Shelly — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:19:49 +0000

As promised last week, here are a few of the foods that our Trim Healthy Mama Book Club consumed in our times together! Some day I’d love to do my own post on these muffins and the chicken Ceasar wraps, but until then {and in case I don’t get to it!}, some of you have been asking [...]

Shrimp Pad Thai ~ The Trim & Healthy Way

Shelly — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:08:16 +0000

As promised, here is the Pad Thai recipe! If you want a reeeeally easy, but not quite as authentic pad thai taste, you can always buy one of those seasoning packs at the grocery store. That’s how I and my first serving of konjac noodles fell in love. But you do have to watch out [...]

THM {the skinny on my recent favorite book & club}

Shelly — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:04:34 +0000

They arrive on my doorstep once again. It’s Wednesday morning and the little road that leads to my house will hardly see a busier day this week! I greet their smiling faces, these lovely women and their sweet children, as they come from the near and far corners of our county. {l-r: yours truly, hilda, [...]

A Bit of Inspiration in the Kitchen

Shelly — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:49:51 +0000

I have a few quick food inspirations to share with you today. These are soups or other dishes that I’ve cooked up in the past several weeks . . . and that we really, really enjoyed! We are trying to pinch our pennies a little extra much the last while, so that means less {almost [...]

Snow Falling. Prayers Rising.

Shelly — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:43:11 +0000

Outside the sky is dark & gloomy. But it’s not the sky that worries me. It’s the dark and gloomy attitudes right here within that trouble me most. The predicted storm has some in a stir, but all I want it to be stirred to love Him more. To see the selfish and sinful in [...]