57th Thankful Thursday: more simple delights and a simple chocolate chip spiced pumpkin cookie recipe

Today, I took time to enjoy an hour-long nap (!--really, that never happens), watched cedar waxwings munch on crabapples, and baked cookies (another activity I haven't done in months).  I'm so glad I did--I feel more relaxed and ready to take on tomorrow.

The cookies, chocolate chip and spiced pumpkin, require just three ingredients and are totally yummy.  I just plop the dough on the cookie sheet, hence the rugged appearance, but feel free to make yours smooth.  These cookies are more cake-like than they are chewy.

This week:  What simple delights rejuvenate you?

56th Thankful Thursday: Simple, profound words

"I love you."

Those are three simple, profound words that touch my soul.  I am grateful for opportunities to share them with and receive them from family and friends.

I am grateful.

This week: What are some words you are grateful for?  

A tender video clip on how to love like Christ does

Christ washing Peter's feet and the Atonement

A couple weeks ago I read the account in the Bible of Jesus washing his apostle's feet after the Passover dinner and prior to his Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I was struck for the first time how these versus relate not only to the principle of service, but to the principle of repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The account I quote from is in John 13: 4-9.  In verses 8-9 I include the Joseph Smith Translation* of the Bible, with differences in italics.  I apologize if there are typos in the scripture below.

4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7) Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8) Peter saith unto him, Thou needest not to wash my feet.  Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9) Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  Jesus saith to him, He that has washed his hands and his head, needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; and ye are clean, but not all.  Now this was the custom of the Jews under their law; wherefore, Jesus did this that the law might be fulfilled.  

Three cows in the kitchen ;)

That may have been the coolest blog title I've ever written.  :)

Three summers ago at my grandparent's ranch, I discovered the most awesome ice cream scoop ever: a Holstein cow handle with a stainless steel scoop.  My grandma gave it to me, and I took it to college.  It became one of my favorite mementos of home and a reminder not to take myself too seriously.  (Who could, looking at that cheesy grin?)

This past summer after I found my current apartment, I thought it would be fun to have my own cookie jar.  Somehow, "cookie jar" became a "cow cookie jar" to complement my ice cream scoop.  And to top the deal, it had to come from the DI (my favorite thrift shop).

For seven months, I occasionally wishfully thought about that hope.  And in the meantime, I happened upon a cow ladle rest at Ross's for $2.

Then last night I found it.  I happy danced right there in the store.  Sure, it's not an official cookie jar, but it will function perfectly as one, and I couldn't imagine a better shape.

I have my perfect ceramic cow cookie container...  now to just find some yummy cookies to fill it.  :)

55th Thankful Thursday: Simple delights to lift the spirit

This week has been filled with small and simple things that have lifted my spirits.  I'm posting some below, and hope you'll add some of your own.  I love when another person lifts the veil from my eyes so I can see the delight hidden all around.  :)

PS I've posted a Youtube video that touched me this week below

--Watching and listening to children laughing and playing during recess
--Green sprigs of grass poking up through cement canyons in the sidewalk
--Hearing squirrels bicker
--The blessed, wonderful smell of rain-kissed air
--Twittering birds in tall skeletous trees

54th Thankful Thursday: Family... isn't it about... time?

This week I've been on Spring Break.  I set a goal to do something fun every day, and have so far kept it.  I don't think I've ever had a "break" where I've felt so good about how I've used the time.  This afternoon I told Mom that, while I haven't gotten everything done, I've gotten the most important things done--and I can go back to school "at peace with myself" ready to get back to work.

I laugh every time.  :)  

Some highlights from the past few days:

53rd Thankful Thursday: Maps, guides, and compasses

This past school year I've been working through an interesting curriculum in how to navigate the map of life.  Last Fall I had an experience where what I thought was best for me wasn't, and I had to re-chart my plan of action using what I knew at the time.  Good things resulted, and I learned a lot.

Now I feel like I've been gently turned around to a path I'd crossed out, being told it is the best direction for me to go.  Yet all I see in front of me is thick, thick fog.  Sometimes in the distance sunlight seems to shine onto possibilities--yet that's all they are: hazy prospects.  

I feel completely uncertain about what's going to happen, and yet totally assured because I trust the source of my guidance.  For me, there is no greater or more perfect compass than God.  

I am grateful for peace even when I don't know my destinations.

This week: Who or what is a guide or compass you are grateful for?

52nd Thankful Thursday: Gifts of Gratitude

Sunday night, I visited my junior high science teacher with several of her former students.  We gave her a book that contained thank-you notes and letters from her past students.  Her joy and gratitude were inspiring and uplifting.  I am grateful I finally thanked one of the most influential, life-changing ladies in my life.

On Monday, I arrived home from school and found a little package on my doorstop.  It contained a precious wooden box with brass finishings--from Subhash in India!!!  I was blown away.  Even more dear to me is the little note he put in it, thanking me for the work I did and wishing me well.  

Looking back at the these experiences, it is incredible that the people who taught me more than I could dream of giving to them, are actually thanking me.  I am grateful.

This week: What gifts of gratitude have touched your life, either through being the giver or the  receiver?

51st Thankful Thursday: Jesus Christ and His Atonement

I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to earth, lived, suffered, bled, died, and lives again.  I am grateful for the peace and purity I am able to feel through the cleansing power of His Atonement.  I know He knows and loves me.  I know He knows and loves you too.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

This week: Why are you grateful for Christ, or, what is something someone has done for you which you are grateful for?

"I Stand All Amazed"

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

50th Thankful Thursday: More Loves! :)

IT'S THE 50TH THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!  :D  I think it's only fitting to celebrate this momentous occasion with another List of 50 Loves.  :)

Just some background: this semester marks the first time I've diligently worked out at the gym, and I'm seeing awesome results.   This is a super exciting time for me, and so health-related items came up a lot during this list.  Sometime I will write up a full post on it to explain why it's so awesome for me.  :)

49th Thankful Thursday: taking things for granted

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to lose something for me to appreciate it.  Whether it is my chapstick, inner peace, or lately, my health.

I'm grateful that no matter what I've lost, that I always have what I need to get through it.  Right now I'm very, very grateful for my family and their love and support.

This week: What are you grateful for? 

Gently spiced black beans with baked sweet potatoes

I really, really like this recipe.  It's not very spicy, but is flavorful enough to tickle the taste-buds.  The flavors of the beans and the sweet potatoes complement each other very well.  It's fast and can easily be doubled or tripled depending on how many mouths are around to feed.  It's one I'll make and turn into brown-bag lunches for a week.

I adapted the recipe from EatingWell.  While you could zap the sweet potatoes in your microwave on short notice, as EatingWell recommends, I suggest baking them in the oven.  Baking takes planning ahead, but zapped sweet potatoes don't carmelize like baked ones do.

The sweet potatoes take about an hour and a half to bake (they're super forgiving on time).  About twenty minutes before they're done, start the black beans and you're good to go.  :)  If making a larger batch, allot more time for it to come to a simmer.

Yogurt makes a nice garnish and helps make this a complete protein.  This meal is fairly heavy, so I recommend serving with crackers or flatbread.

48th Thankful Thursday: Beans :)

I have 48 cans of beans and more than two pounds of dried beans in my pantry.  Refried, canellini, kidney, black, garbanzo, great northern, baby lima, original baked, chili....   Thank goodness for case lot sales and a mother who is willing to stock up her daughter's pantry.  :)

We'll see how long this supply lasts.  ;)

This week:  What is a food you consider totally essential to your meal planning?  

PREVIEW:  I'm going to post one of my newest favorite recipes this weekend: an Indian-spiced black bean and baked sweet potato recipe.  :)  SO, so good.  :)

47th Thankful Thursday: Doing things of greatest worth

"We are not only to do good, but, most importantly, to do the things of greatest worth—things of the heart that we know we should do but often don’t do."

--James E. Faust, "Sins of Omission", Friend, June 1998, inside front cover

46th Thankful Thursday: Supermom skills in the kitchen

189 jars (mostly quarts) of veggies and fruit
107 cups of salsa and sweet chili sauce
284 cups of jams and jellies

That is what my Supermom canned just this past autumn.  She cans food every autumn, working tens of hours in a hot kitchen.  I think one year she canned over 150 quarts of grape juice. If she's doing tomatoes she boils the tomatoes and skins every one.  Peaches are peeled with a paring knife.  Jams and jellies require near-constant stirring over a steamy pot, most batches take at least half an hour and only produce about 12 cups of jam each.  Applesauce requires the apples to be cooked and then squished through a food mill.

45th Thankful Thursday: Superdad skills

Last evening, my dad fixed my "broken" car key-hole with WD-40 in a freezing garage.  He used duct tape to patch some rips under the car door frame.   He taught me how to grease the rubber rim thingys of the car doors with Vaseline to prevent them from freezing shut.  Then he took apart and put back together my mom's old laptop, replacing some widget to help it run better.

I love my dad.  I'm grateful he would be both willing and able to help me (and do other service too) when he was so tired after a long day from work.

This week: What are some examples of your Superdad's skills or service?

44th Thankful Thursday: New Beginnings

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

43rd Thankful Thursday: O Holy Night!

"O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas song.  My body tingles with thrills whenever the song reaches "Fall on your knees".  I am grateful for a loving and perfect Eldest Brother, who came to earth and lived in mortality.  He lived, suffered, died, and lives again for me.   He did and does so in order that I can become cleansed and whole through Him, become as He is, and live with Him and my family for eternity.  In the holy and sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

This week:  What is your favorite Christmas or other holiday song?  

I've posted a video of Josh Grobin singing "O Holy Night".  I'd love it if you posted a link to your favorite song too.  :)  

42nd Thankful Thursday: Family

I love my family.  I'm done with Finals and am sitting in my living room.  Dad is laying on the couch, littlest Sis is doing homework, and Mom is helping Sis.  Molly our puppy is curled up by the Christmas tree.

I love their hugs.  I love their smiles.  Their laughter. Their encouragement.  Dad's help unloading my car.  Middle Sis showing me the gorgeous decked-out Christmas tree.  Littlest Sis's Christmas band concert.  Mom's love.

Home is wonderful.

This week:  Why do you love your family?

41st Thankful Thursday: Lights in the dark

The Sunday before Thanksgiving I hung a strand of Christmas lights in my apartment's main room.  The purple, pink, yellow, blue and green lights cast cheery glows on the walls and ceiling.  I love turning off the room's lights and basking in their sweet glistening.

I am thankful for the lights in my life that I can be thankful for in times of dreariness.

Some such "Christmas lights" from this week:

--happening upon the delightful flavor combination of fig newtons and gorgonzola cheese (a type of blue cheese)--think a Pixar Ratatouille moment of savoring--if only my ears could be so expressive... or maybe it's a good thing they aren't...  :)