This Is Kristin

~ My son thinks I can see behind me, and underneath the table. Somehow I always know what he’s doing, or how many fingers he’s holding up. I’m not a super hero to him, I just eat lots of carrots so I can see through tables, and grow eyes in the back of my head, he says. I think it may be some motherly instinct, or maybe just chalk it down to the fact that I know my son, I am around him, and know what he’s up to by certain sounds he’s making, and as far as guessing how many fingers he’s holding up, thats just luck, and he still thinks I’m great even when I do make a mistake.

~I am begining to wonder if that is similar to God’s presence in my life. That the closer I am to him, the more I notice his presence around me, even when I can’t clearly see him, or know what He’s doing. I know He’s there, and up to something, and the closer I am to him, the more likely I know what it is He’s doing.

So often, I get caught up in the “where are you God,” that I am failing to see that He’s not gone anywhere, my vision and focus on him has just gotten blurry, and I haven’t been around Him to know Him well enough to recognize that He’s near, or up to something. I once heard a speaker say, “He never lets go.” and I got this mental picture of God holding my wrist, not my hand. I envisioned it that way, because it hit me, that it was my choice to hold him back, and at times I let my hand drop, or don’t have the strength to hold on, but He’s got me, by the wrist, and He’s not letting go, even when I can’t see Him clearly, or hear Him clearly, or know what He is doing. He is always there, and always holding on.

Today is worldwide day of play, promoting active healthy life styles for your kids. We are glad it’s a nice day out today, because my kids want to play outside, go to the park, play board games…. who knows what else the day will bring us!

~What will you do for the day of play?

(HT: apartment therapy)

~If you don’t have kids, and would like to see what one part of your life would look like if you did, just lift up the seats of your car, take a bag of pretzels and throw them all over the place, followed by some cheerios and those “yogo” fruit snacks, (if you don’t use those, make sure to get ones that melt when they get hot) and sprinkle with a little apple juice, (for that musty smell) and a little milk, (for that, “there’s gotta be a poopy diaper in here,” smell) Next, make sure you walk across the mess, and really grind it into the carpet, and leave for a month or so to get the full effect!

~Every car we get, we say “we aren’t going to eat in this one, and we’ll pick up every time we get out of it…” Inevitably life speeds up, and priorities shift away from the car, and we eat in it, and forget to pick up, and forget to vacuum, and it gets really nasty. As long as it’s running good, and keeping us safe, who really cares? You can get really strong air fresheners to cover that smell, and if not, you get used to it after awhile.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups grated zucchini
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini, eggs, onion, flour, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and salt. Stir well enough to distribute ingredients evenly.
Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drop zucchini mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls, and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.

~Serve with marinara for dipping.

(All Recipes)

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.”
~Anthony Robbins

~This week, my 5 year old has been the inventor and costume wearer, and back to his obsession with Tennessee Vols athletic uniforms. (which are a very offensive orange color) He invented a drink that when you drink it, you don’t have to brush your teeth ever again, OR if you break your leg, it will heal it. It is called, “Waffle-ade-ee.” (I think I pronounced that right)

~My 5 year old had a short stomach virus this weekend, and my two year old said enthusiastically, while hearing him in the bathroom, “Bluey puked up!”

I also overheard him arguing with a friend outside, and when I approached closer this is what I heard.
~ the friend-”The world is mine.”
~Blue saying passionately, “Na Uhh- the world is yours, mine and Gods.”
(and they continued to go back and forth, I decided to let them work that one out)

~ A neighbor girl was outside, and said to me, “Miss Kristin, watch what I can do,” and she broke a crayon in half. I said, “wow…” and she replied “I don’t even take Karate.”

… I love how confident kids are of themselves, their inventions, and abilities.

(this one is into everything!!!)

…For more Tiny Talk Tuesday, visit Mary@not before7…

~ I did this schedule on my blog, to record (and share) the things that I had set out to learn more about. Some of you shared what you wanted to learn more about along with me, and going green was one of them. There is plenty more to learn about besides what I have posted on, but I am going to stop posting on this as regularly, primarily because Mondays are very busy days for me!

~So if you are still wanting to learn more, there is plenty of information out there, and I’ll post new ideas I have found from time to time, and you can also keep an eye on my sidebar “Green Guide” and click on an article that interests you.

(Check out the article on Bagged Lettuce Recall)…. in other news… I made a salad for my neighbors, out of organic bagged lettuce, and they found a worm on the leaf! Brody said, “Well at least you knew for sure that it was organic.” I am just glad it was a worm, and not the ecoli virus!

“Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.”

~Psalm 112:1-2

~ I went out to a movie the other night with a friend I had not seen in awhile. So after we caught up over some coke’s at a nearby restaurant, we headed to see The Brave One. She’s got three teenage daughters, so she sees her share of the girly movies, and I have three little one’s so I don’t get out much, and love to go see any movies. When I asked her what she wanted to see, she said, “Let’s go see Jodi Foster kick some butt.” That she does in this movie. The story and the movie are very well done. Jodi Foster and Terrence Howard, do really good jobs acting. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and makes you want to yell out a lot of the time, “what are you doing?” It is sad, and a tad bit scary. (I didn’t want to go to the bathroom by myself during the movie, because I was jumpy, and we were glad to have each other to walk with to the car) Because of the scary parts, it made me want to tell Seth and Amber to not go out at night, or walk through park tunnels, or chase after their dog. (if they have one)

So if you like action/ drama, and not particularly happy endings, then you’d like this movie. The actors do a really good job.

~Have you seen this, or any good movies lately?

~Ingredients:
Serves 4
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives
4 ounces feta cheese, coarsely crumbled (1 cup)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds thin chicken cutlets (about

~Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, feta, mint, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
Heat a grill pan over high; brush lightly with oil. Season cutlets with salt and pepper. Cook, working in batches as necessary, until chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Top chicken with tomato mixture, and serve.

(from FOOD magazine)