31st Thankful Thursday: Written records

I know I'm posting this on Wednesday. If I don't post this now, I wouldn't be able to post until tomorrow night. I thought you would rather sooner than later. ;)

Yesterday I was having a bit of a tough spot mentally and emotionally. I realized my self-esteem had been dropping the past two weeks. Causes included being away from home, school stress, and recognizing I had started to manifest pride. The last reason was bitter.

I felt prompted to read my journal. I read entries from my time in India. I felt grateful for the experiences I had had, motivated to get my current duties done, and inspired that, "Yes, I really can do hard things." And maybe most importantly, I was reminded of what truly matters most, and that "I can change. I can become better."

I believe in me. I believe in you, too. :)

This week: What written records are you grateful for? Have you had a particular experience you would like to share?

PS If you made that tomato peanut soup I posted last week, how did you like it? :)

30th Thankful Thursday: Comfort food

As soon as you thoughtfully consider this week's prompt, please read the recipe I posted just prior this post. You may swoon after tasting it, so please have an ice pack handy in case you hit your head. Seriously. ;)

"Comfort food."

Okay, what images just popped into your head? Mashed potatoes & peas with gravy, grilled cheese sandwiches, baked beans, and tomatoes with mozzarella, basil & balsamic vinegar came to mind for me.

These foods remind me of dinners around an old tan wooden table with my family, of being a kid at Sizzler and baffling my parents by ordering a sandwich, of our garden harvest, and just feeling warmfuzzies from the goodness of sweet beans. :) :) :)

THIS WEEK: What comfort foods make you feel like you're wrapped in your favorite comforter, take you back to favorite memories, or just bring a smile of delight to your face? Bonus points for sharing "why". :)

Soul-warming & Spicy African Tomato Peanut Soup

Never in my life have I wanted to share a recipe as badly as this one. Good grief. This soup is GOOD. Common ingredients, rich, and filling. The flavor will blow you away.

I made minor changes to this recipe posted by Gourmet on epicurious.com. Gourmet's recipe uses a few more canned ingredients that might make it easier for you to make this.

I enjoyed the texture and am glad I didn't puree it. If you do puree it, you may not want to let it boil down so much, or it may become too thick.

If you want to serve this with grains, I recommend crackers or flatbread instead of bread.

The peanut butter demands to be paired with a glass of cold, whole, milk. Please don't disappoint the peanut butter.

29th Thankful Thursday: Basic Amenities

Toilet paper is awesome. It is convenient, useful, enables cleanliness, and makes for a more pleasant experience in the bathroom.

For the past three days I have used Kleenex. This afternoon, I finally took time to stop by Smiths and replenish my TP stock.

Thank you, O blessed person who invented toilet paper.

THIS WEEK: What basic amenity are you grateful for?

PS Do you have any suggestions for future Thankful Thursday posts? Pretty please?

28th Thankful Thursday: Like Cups of Hot Cocoa, Thousands of Miles Away

I just finished sipping a steaming cup of hot cocoa. It was warmed my body after a chilly 20 minute walk through the rain (under my umbrella).

Yesterday I had an even better cup of cocoa. I had emailed my India teammates asking for photos, and two replied the same day. Both with wonderful pictures.

Ki. sent hot cocoa flowing through my bones with what she wrote:

27th Thankful Thursday: When Things Work Out

I feel relieved. So relieved. I just met with the director of the Honors Program at my school, and she said to go ahead with what I had planned for my Honors Thesis project. I was nervous to meet with her, and told her so when she asked how I was doing.

Her approval means I get to compile what I did in India, add to it, and produce a resource that CARPED can use to facilitate the installation of their demonstration homestead, as well as being useful for future HELP International volunteers. I am grateful.