Renewing my Spirit at Home this Morning...

       Not feeling well and hubby is bogged down with finishing up the last little details to begin hosting their corporate retreat here at the beach this week.... so I guess that is my que to study my scriptures and scrap! awwwwe poor me...

    

       I have a favorite stamp that says

Simply Back to RUNNING!

      

       

      Yup... that about sums it up! Took the summer off from running and gained TWENTY Pounds back, can you say 20 pounds... NO JOKE! I feel awful, clothes don't fit and I look fat! So this morning I hit the beach on a slow run. It felt awesome to be back in the sand. Now to find a source of reward-able motivation to look forward to... :)

Following in his footsteps... Happy Birthday Dad!

       Today my dad would have turned 74... And as I stop and reflect what has transpired over this past year, I have been totally amazed at how much growing up the grand-kids have done. Dad would be so proud of all of them. We have had missionaries return with honor, several high school and college graduations, happy marriages, scout and young women advancements, Athletic triumphants with first place wins, lots of little blessings along the way and we are now looking forward to what will be Dad's first Great-Grand Child due to arrive in the early spring. My how times flies when you are growing up and growing old... But one one the biggest events that has happened this past couple of months is the both Sarah and Bryant have chosen to follow in Dad's footsteps and joined the Navy.  We are so proud of them... :)

So as a tribute to my dad, here is a special picture that I have of him....

Simple Suppers in September

         Labor Day has come and gone and since school has started, all my crew members (employees) have left me to go back to their studies. And in the mist of all this I have found myself still working lots of nights and by doing so have discovered a greater need to use my crock pot for dinner meals. So to Kick off a warm September Fall,  We give you...  

Easy-Does-It-Spaghetti!

*you can find the recipe and details for my Thrifty Thursday meals over on my blog at THE PANTRY LIFE

Progress Continued....

         Yesterday, I talked about my Friend the FLyLady and the difference between Progress, not Perfection and how you can do anything even if you only work on it for 15 minutes. Then today in my craft closet our scrapbook challenge was to start a progressive scrapbook  page that will span over four weeks.  Now, As many of you know I am not a big fan of Progessive Scrapbook Challenges, because #1 - I am one of those OCD type people that can't leave a project undone and #2 - my crafting closet is so small, it is hard to leave projects laying around on my desk and get anything else done. But after giving it a lot of thought I decided it would be good to practice what I preach... Definition of Progressive: happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step. Very similar statement as I shared yesterday in my scripture reference. Same info two days in a row............... ? Maybe I need to learn something from this!
 

So I decided that I would try this months progressive challenge. My goal is to spend 15 minutes on each new task of the challenge and then put it away, up high so I couldn't see it. You know, "out of sight, out of mind" lol! Anyway.... you can check out what I came up with for the first task over on my craft blog at     Annie's Pantry

Today's Mojo

     

        As many of you know I am a graduated FLyBABy... :).

And  I AM VERY PROUD of it! 

        I discovered the FlyLady at one of the lowest times in my life, at one of those times when I needed her the most and was feeling like a complete failure to admit it. She came into my life as a blessing in disguise, an angel of simplicity, with a driving force that created a sense of unwavering commitment. From the very first day when I "Shined My Sink" clear up to the point of today, when like this morning my daily agenda is very full, I will be leaving my house, full of energized mojo and fortitude, knowing that my house is somewhat tidy, my family has been taken care of and I can handle just about anything that the Lord asks of me. I have truly learned the concept that that it is "Progress, not Perfection!"
       Perfection can only be obtained through our continual progression, "line upon line, precept upon precept". One of my favorite scriptures shares...  "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." 2 Nephi 28:30

Make-Over Monday: Better than Oatmeal

My husband and I have been researching some whole grain breakfast alternatives to that old-fashioned, heart-warming bowl of sticky oatmeal. We have found that whole grain couscous flavored with fruit and cinnamon makes for a healthy whole grain, low-calorie breakfast suitable for kids as well as adults! This Breakfast couscous recipe and photo is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.

Ingredients:

1 16 ounce can apples or pears, divided
water
1 tbsp butter
1 10 ounce package couscous
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon, or to taste

Preparation:

Drain fruit, reserving juice. Pour juice into measuring cup and add water to equal 2 cups. Prepare couscous according to package directions using the fruit juice and butter. Dice fruit; add to couscous.
Combine sugar and cinnamon and mix with couscous. Place in serving bowl and sprinkle with additional cinnamon, if desired. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Makes 6 - (7/8 cup) servings of apple cinnamon couscous.
Calories per serving: 271
Nutrition: Each serving provides approximately: 271 calories; 6 g protein; 56 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 2 g fat (1 g saturated); 5 mg cholesterol; 0 mcg folate; 1 mg iron; 22 mg sodium.

Simply September

       I can't believe that fall is almost here already. I love fall for so many reasons, but none of those reasons except for one can be found here at the beach. So in staying with my monthly theme idea I have decided to refer to this month as Simply September.
       Also today is Sunday, I love to start the month out with a "Fast & Testimony" meeting. I think that is just helps to set the spirit and the tone for a very loving and productive month. And today I am very humbled and grateful for the many blessings and opportunities that I have strengthened my testimony this past month and I am looking forward to another month filled with all the same.