Bloom Where You're Planted

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Weekend Links

It's that time again! I read so many great things around the web this week. Here are some highlights:

Cleaning the bathroom like a pro (Oh, how I need to put this into practice!)

Fun kitchen printables (Ha!)

Meal Planning using Google Calendars (I think I'm going to try a variation of this. If it works well, I'll let you know.)

Press-and-Seal Fridge Shelves (Genius!)

Washing your face with oil (I did this a few years ago and loved the results. Not sure why I ever stopped. I'm going to start again.)

7 Ways to Adore Your Husband

7 Lies About Homeschoolers (Hilarious! And true.)

7 Ways to Practice Imperfect Hospitality

To the mother with only one child (Not what you're thinking. Great post.)

Sometimes the only way to read our kids is by braille. (I LOVE The Gypsy Mama. She hits another home run with this one.)

So what did you discover online this past week?

This post is linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Friday, January 20, 2012

I'm trying something new today. Each Friday on The Gypsy Mama, she has 5 Minute Friday. She gives us a word, and we are supposed to just write for 5 minutes - unedited, unplanned, and uncensored. Here we go....

Vivid.

For some reason, I always associate this word with memories. As in, "I have such vivid memories of ...". Sadly, it seems the most vivid memories are unpleasant ones. I remember vividly seeing my Grannie weeping beside my Granddaddy's casket. I have a vivid memory of painful times in my past - times of embarrassment or discouragement.

Other memories that I wish I held in greater clarity seem to be more fuzzy. I wish I could remember exactly how my children sounded in their first cries. I wish I could remember every word of David's marriage proposal.

I sometimes find myself going to ridiculous lengths to preserve certain memories. My text message inbox is always at 90% or higher because I can't bear to part with a message in which David says that he loves me. My voice mailbox contains many recordings of my parents' voices, David's voice, and the last message that Grannie left for me. I know that someday I won't be able to hear the voices of my parents in person, and I think I will want to hear them somehow. It's morbid, I know. But that's the truth.

I want my kids to have vivid *positive* memories. Is that possible? I want them to remember vividly picnics and times baking goodies in the kitchen. I want them to hear my voice ringing in their ears with words of love, encouragement, and faith. I want them to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are loved by the Lord and their parents. I want that love to be vivid in their hearts.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Shrimp and Tortellini

Believe it or not, this was a hit with both my son and my husband!

Recipe works best with a lovely assistant.

Shrimp and Tortellini
4 servings
WW points plus: 10 per serving

1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
3/4 pound peeled, medium-sized fresh shrimp (I used the frozen ones that are already cooked, deveined, with tail off.)
1 shallot, minced (I just used half of a regular onion.)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted (I used 1/8 cup to get 10 WW points.)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, cook shrimp, shallot, and chopped basil in butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.

Add tortellini and Parmesan cheese; toss gently. (Lesson I learned: timing is crucial. This is best if the pasta, shrimp, and cheese are combined right before it is served. Otherwise, it gets a little gummy.)