Yippee!

It's time for one of my favorite blog hops:

Our friend, Java, is hosting as usual. 

Thank you, Java!

 Here are this week's questions:

1.  Did you watch the Superbowl?
2.  What is the last book that you read?
3.  What is your favorite kind of cake?
4.  Do you snore?
5.  Do you play an instrument?

1.  Short answer:  Heavens yes!    

Longer answer:  Our plans for Sunday the yearly spectacle that is Super Bowl began at "O" Dark:Thirty [read very early] last Tuesday morning.   After I'd snagged my hazelnut cream-charged coffee, and even before I could plop down on the couch to read the Food Section, my precious hubby handed it to me and said he'd like to make a chili recipe found there.  In spite of the fact that I'd only had a couple of sips of coffee at that point, I managed to get this out:

WHAT??  YOU READ THE FOOD SECTION??

After reading the chili recipe, I gave it the KarenHousekeepingSealofApproval

 and we commenced planning to invite another couple to enjoy it with us.

The idea of cooking a new recipe and having friends over got my juices flowin'!

Two of my favorite things!

Here is a link to the cookbook that contains the original recipe:

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore/detail.asp?PID=471

 The recipe we used was adapted by our local newspaper.

I'll try to get it up later today.

"Do or Do not.  There is no try."  Yoda
2. I'm actually taking my sweet time getting through 2 books right now:

My Dad told me a long time ago, "You never stop being a parent."  I think what he meant was that you never stop caring about, praying for, and, yes, worrying about your children.
And this little gem:

Each little nugget contained in this book takes me all day to digest.
Both of these books are on my Shelfari thingy on the sidebar.
3.  Birthday cake!  What else?
Celebrating another year of life, someone else's or my own, makes any cake taste yummy.
When our kids were at home,
there were many years when ALL of our birthdays [by each celebrant's choice]
were celebrated with this cake:

Anyone else have that family history?
4.  Yikes, do I ever!
Hoping that when I'm done losing weight
-15# down, 15# to go-
that will improve.
I have a phobia about sharing a room with anyone other than
my Dear Husband (he taught me to snore),
like for instance, at our church's annual women's retreats
because of my snoring.
Note to self:  sign up for the retreat April 8-10th.
5.  I've taken piano and guitar lessons.
I think it was Pam, at Empty Nest, who answered this by
saying that if she couldn't do something right away, she'd quit.
As far as playing instruments goes,
that describes me, too.

For more Meet Me On Monday madness
hop on over to Java at Never Growing Old
and link up with the rest of us.

There now.
See?
Mondays can be good days, too.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Don't forget that you may email me your prayer requests.
Love,

Sometimes I'm here...

A person who is very near and dear to me believes he/she needs to begin taking medication for depression. 

Caveat:  I know that depression is a reality for many people.  What I say here is not meant to judge the one to whom I am referring nor anyone else who uses medication to combat it.  It is simply my experience.

I have been in that place.  I took medication for depression 7 years ago.  We were 3 years into our empty nest season at the time.  Our eldest daughter was going to be married 2 hours away and I couldn't be a part of the preparations like I'd dreamed I would.  All it seemed I could do was write fat checks for the festivities. 

No Martha Stewart moments. 

Strained relations with my daughter. 

Huge financial concerns:  wedding, getting 3 kids through college within 7 years.

I just couldn't shake the depression I felt. 

So I used the medication for about 5 months.  I realized that I didn't feel the "lows" as much, but neither could I experience joy and happiness like I used to.  So I stopped the meds.

My circumstances didn't really worsen or improve. 

I pulled through, by the grace of God.

All that to say this:  Sometimes I'm in a spot, or season, where I have

No Strength To Pray.

I read a poem by that name today. 

Here it is:

When vision fadeth, and the sense of things,

And powers dissolve like colors in the air;

And no more can I bring Thee offerings,

Nor any ordered prayer...

Then, like a wind blowing from Paradise,

Falleth a healing word upon mine ear:

"Let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice";

The Lord doth hear.

[From Toward Jerusalem, by Amy Carmicheal.]

Have I felt depressed in the intervening years?  Most definitely. 

But today I had a renewed sense that, even in my lowest times,

when my physical and psychological strength fail,

my loving Lord hears my internal cries for relief.

He gathers me close to Him, sending the Comforter, whether I ask or not.

Why do I have that assurance?

Because He is Who He is:

my unchanging Lover, Friend, and Savior.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows. 
James 1:17

"He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."

Psalm 23:2

I am hoping and praying that you have that assurance, too.

Grace and peace to you!

Love, Karen