And Abraham Went Out . . .

Just Checking In . . . 

Outside my window . . . 

It's dark and just beginning to lighten up. Got to bed earlier last night. Yeah me. It's been crazy warm lately! Even up to 60. Us Shepherds are dreaming of snow! Bring on the skiing!

I'm listening to . . . 

Silence. That doesn't happen too often. I'm sure I'll hear the patter of little feet soon.

These are a few of my favorite things . . . 

Smiling with Doug about the antics of Nutmeg. She constantly cracks us up. We were driving around looking at lights last night and one of the boys mentioned the song "Jingle Bells." Nutmeg picked that one right up and started her own song about it. I don't think she's even heard the song. She makes up her own melody and sings "Jingle bells alllll the way hhhooome!!" And then she starts "Tinker bell all the way home. Tinker bells allll the way hhhooome." Too funny.

In the Kitchen . . . 

Yesterday I let the crock pot simmer most of the day making bone broth. I know people around the world have been doing this for thousands of years but somehow it escaped my attention. And now, I guess, this new diet craze, the Paleo diet, has been touting the benefits of homemade broth. And frankly I guess I didn't even notice because I usually ignore "fashionable" diets. They usually have some good things to say but I figure there is no need to run my life around a craze. Anyhow, I was just thinking last week that I should really have used my leftover turkey carcass from Thanksgiving to make some broth. Then I ran across this intriguing soup recipe on Pinterest and from there, some interesting articles on the wisdom of bone broths. It all makes so much sense! So here I go, I'm going to try to fit this in my routine more and more. I do enjoy nourishing our family. Check this excerpt out from this article:

"- The gelatin in bone broth assists digestion by attracting digestive juices and preventing gastrointestinal bugs from attaching themselves to the gut wall.  It has also been shown to help heal prior damage to the gut lining and offering relief for those with IBS, Chrohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.

- Bone broth contains minerals such as calcium, silicon, sulphur, magnesium, phosphorous & trace minerals in an easily assimilable form. These minerals are pulled out of the bones in part due to using a vinegar solution prior to cooking. The vinegar helps to draw the mineral salts out of the bone.

- Chinese studies have shown gelatin to increase red blood cell and hemoglobin count, increase serum calcium level, increase the absorption and utilization of calcium, and prevent and treat myotonia atrophica (muscle wasting).

- The gelatin in bone broths assist in neutralizing whatever poison is causing problems during an intestinal bug or flu.

- Bone broth could be considered a liver tonic (or liver supportive). Broth helps the body to detoxify the body and is a great way to cleanse your system.

- Broth also contains, Chondroitin Sulfate, a jellylike substance, now famous as a supplement for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. It functions to support and provide adhesiveness. It lines blood vessels and plays a role in lowering atherosclerosis, cholesterol and heart attacks."

The boys and I are reading . . .

We just finished Buster Bear yesterday. I sure do enjoy Thorton Burgess. We also have been picking up "The Burgess Bird Book" more often. We have a vintage copy, which is especially fun to handle. I ran across some blogs that have compiled some resources to accompany the book. So after reading a chapter, we look at pictures of the birds and listen to the bird calls. 

On my heart and in my prayers . . .

I don't know about you but I've had some much on my heart and in my prayers lately. More often has the Lord been bringing loved ones to mind and its been natural to lift you all up in prayer. I'm thankful for that. Prayer, what a gift.  Still praying for sale of our house. It was supposed to close in January but the deal fell through yet again. Deflating that was. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." 

Oh and yes, praying for America. Today at noon the Senate votes on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities  I'm hoping that the Senate will realize that we have fantastic laws to protect persons with disabilities here in America; there is no need to put our country under UN law. Heck no! 

Plans for the rest of the week . . .

I lost my glasses a while back, so I finally have an eye exam this afternoon and will get to order some new glasses. So glad. Thursday we'll talk about the real Saint Nicholas, enjoy some small Saint Nicholas gifts, and also have a few friends over to celebrate later in the morning. The boys get a check up at the doctors this week. This will be our first visit this family med doc. I'm hoping he'll be a good fit for our family.

**update on my eye appointment: I've been wearing contacts or glasses for the last 15 years. And now my vision is almost 20/20. Wow, can you believe it? 

All in a day's play.