mary's book basket ~ "walk strong, look up" by chantel hobbs

Chantel Hobbs has written the first exercise book that I can actually get behind. Or rather will make me get rid of some of my behind. I really enjoyed reading "Walk Strong, Look Up". It's a combination of a workout program and a devotional. She combines prayer and exercise which is something that comes quite naturally to me. It usually sounds like "Oh please God don't let me die!" as I am running up a hill. Chantels's method is a wee bit gentler than that.

Everyone can walk. Everyone needs that one on one time with God each day. Combining the two things for me makes perfect sense. She maps out a four week program to get started along with sharing recipes and inspirational stories. It is now my number one reference guide to healthy living. I am on Week 3 and am feeling better everday. My body is getting stronger and my relationship with the Lord is closer.

If your looking for something to jump start you body and your soul, pick up a copy of "Walk Strong, Look Up." It just might change your perspective.

Product Description:
One day Chantel Hobbs had had enough. She vowed to lose weight and keep it off for good. And that's exactly what she did. Nearly 200 pounds lost and years later, she shares with readers the power of the world's most natural exercise--walking. Almost anyone can do it, it rarely causes injury, it costs very little to get started, and it can be done anywhere at any time. Better yet, it affords exercisers the opportunity to connect with their Creator.
Complete with workout routines, tips on proper shoes and nutrition, recipes for power shakes, and even a free download of a thirty-minute walking workout that includes music and Chantel's coaching, Walk Strong, Look Up is the whole package. Chantel also reveals how walking and praying at the same time both intensifies the workout and adds a spiritual component to exercising that helps readers maintain their energy and enthusiasm. Anyone who desires a stronger body and a deeper connection with God will love this book.

a poem for courtney...

Jonathan "helping" Courtney bowl...

Jonathan came home from work last night with a smile on his face. I asked how the world of pizza delivery was and he said "Fine".

I keep forgetting that we are all male only speaking one word at a time.

He was still smiling and I asked how his classes were today. He said "Fine". He went upstairs to his room and started humming to himself.

Jonathan and Courtney napping during a recent road trip

My husband and I exchanged that confused parent look. "He's humming AND smiling" I said.

"Uh huh" replied my husband.

What is it with the monosyllabic answers from the men in my life!

About five minutes later, he came back into the living room and sat next to Courtney's chair. He went on to tell her that he had written about her today in creative writing class.

Miss Courtney was smiling and humming loudly because her big brother was talking to her. It happens every time. She loves him so.

He opened up his laptop and pulled up the file. He read her the following poem:

Curly locks of golden hair,
eyes as blue as the sky,
a smile and laugh that can light up a room.
But no one seems to see that.
They only see...


the wheelchair.
the off-center eyes.
the humming and yelling.
the seizures.


I wish it wasn’t so.
Because I see so much more.


I see her joy,
her pain,
her love,
her irritation at me, her big brother.


She may not see, or really understand it all,
but I know she knows me.
And I know she loves me, like I love her.


I wish other people would see like I do.
The world is brighter with her laughter.


She giggled and leaned in close for her daily dose of Jonathan hugs and kisses on the nose.

Me? I had tears running down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and thanked God for a small little peak into my son's soul.

Next time I want to bark at him for one thing or another I hope my Guardian Angel gently reminds me about the HUGE heart that beats inside this young man.

tasty tuesday ~ bombay sloppy joes...

so many layers of flavor...quite delish I must say...

I adore sloppy joes. The thick tomato sauce filled with finely chopped peppers and onions. There is a tangy sweetness that just makes my heart happy. I was thumbing through my recipe files recently and found this recipe from the Food Network Magazine. Aarti Sequeria is one of my favorite Food Network personalities. I love her sparkle and her energy. I also seriously enjoy her food. So when I discovered this recipe combined one of my favorite dishes of all times with the lovely warm notes that sing in Indian food, I knew I had to make them. 

The layers of flavor in this recipe with all the spices followed by the heat of the peppers, made me do a happy dance at the stove. Then you add in the unexpected with the raisins and pistachios and you have quite the plate. This dish reminds me of my sister-in-laws chili recipe that I adore. She is Indian and whenever I get the chance to eat at her table I run as fast as I can. 

Now I have a recipe that will make the time in between those fabulous meals a little more tolerable. 

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

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This weeks recipe is being shared with Mouthwatering Mondays @ ASouthernFairyTale,  Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits, Nap Time Creations, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Made From Scratch Tuesday @ From Mess Hall to Bistro, Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Domestically Divine Homemaking Link Up, What's Cooking Wednesday @ Tales from the Fairy Blogmother, Raising Homemakers, Delicious Dishes, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, The King's Court IV, This Chic Cooks, Tuesdays at the Table, 33 Shades of Green, Recipes I Want to Try @ At Home with Haley, The Lady Behind the Curtain, Full Plate @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Friday Flair @ Whipperberry as well as the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop@21st Century Housewife. Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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This recipe is simple and filled with incredible layers of flavor...

Bombay Sloppy Joes

Recipe by Aarti Sequeira for Food Network Magazine

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

For the Sloppy Joes:

3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Small handful (about 1/4 cup) raisins

Small handful (about 1/4 cup) shelled pistachios

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 large white onion, finely diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 serrano chile pepper (don't chop it unless you like things spicy!)

Kosher salt

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 cup half-and-half

Small handful fresh cilantro (soft stems included)

4 sesame buns

Directions:

Make the sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and chile pepper and cook until the ginger and garlic brown a little, about 1 minute. Add the garam masala and paprika and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce and 1 cup water, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the sloppy joes: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the raisins and pistachios and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raisins swell up and the pistachios toast slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the remaining 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the cumin seeds and let sizzle about 10 seconds, then add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the chile pepper and cook 2 more minutes, seasoning with salt. Add the turkey, breaking up the big lumps, and cook until opaque, about 5 minutes.

Add the prepared sauce to the turkey-and-onion mixture in the skillet. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

Remove the whole chile pepper (unless you want to eat it, like my dad does!) and stir in the honey, half-and-half, raisins and pistachios. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cilantro right before serving.

Toast the buns and fill with the sloppy joe mixture. Eat with your hands!

a heart broken open...

I am still in that chapel on a hill, remembering how awesome God's grace and love can be. There is so much to be thankful for this Monday evening. So much my heart wants to share with you all who come to this small piece of cyberspace and honor me with your presence. I need to count the blessings this week. I need to remember that with growth comes pain and joy all in the same breath.

I will choose JOY...

#539 - #570:
*doctor's who return phone calls and give loving advise and show concern for you as well as the patient
*emergency room doctors who show calm in the midst of crisis
*a father who loves his daughter beyond reason
*a daughter who understands this even though she cannot tell us with her words
*birthday celebrations involving whipped cream and strawberries
*time on a mountain surrounded by God's magnificent creation
*42 thirteen year old girls that seek with their hearts to know, love and serve HIM
*my best friend who prays me through one crisis after another
*Adoration
*watching God's heart break wide open pouring love freely
*watching that LOVE transform hearts and minds
*lake water that reflects the rays of God's sunshine
*singing every word of Mulan
*long walks during an autumn afternoon
*a breeze blowing through my hair while the heat of the sun beats down on my face
*breathing fresh mountain air
*surrounded by silence on a mountain top
*food made with love overflowing
*reading the greatest love story in the Song of Songs
*late night reading unable to put the pages down
*fresh food eaten with those we love
*kettle corn and chick flicks
*song sung round and round with voices at full tilt
*brothers who call and sing birthday wishes
*a mother who loves unconditionally
*helping a young woman achieve a dream
*climbing a tree
*leaves turning amber and orange
*pumpkins piled high at the Farmer's Market
*new recipes from around the world
*forgiveness = freedom

Head on over to Ann Voskamp @A Holy Experience to be inspired once more

44 going on 13...

The chapel framing a most beautiful sky...

This past weekend I turned 44 and had the privilege of traveling to the mountains in the company of 42 thirteen year old young ladies who are preparing for Confirmation in the Spring. Originally, I wasn't going to go since it was my birthday weekend and I was inclined to be home with my family. God had something else in mind. I am always amazed at how God arranges things to make sure what He needs these beautiful young women to hear and experience, happens. The only thing He requires of the adults is to get out of His way and for once that is exactly what we did.

Whenever we plan one of these retreats there is a tremendous amount of preparation that goes into it. There are the physical details, finding and booking the retreat center, making sure there are enough chaperones, reserving the right size bus, as well as making sure all the physical needs of the girls can be met (food, snacks, extra pillows, blankets, etc.).

Then there are the spiritual preparations which I think are the most difficult since every year we take a different group of girl with a different set of issues that need God's guidance and healing. We began praying as a team two months ago for Our Lord to reveal what was going to be needed to meet the girls  needs on this weekend. What came to us in those weeks was a powerful message of unconditional love.

The lake reflecting God's beauty and love...

We (the adults chaperones) were asked to be a conduit to help introduce them to who God is...Their Beloved...Lover of Their Soul...He never dissappoints. He never makes mistakes. Jesus rushed to the cross like a lover who gave everything for the woman who holds his heart. These themes were pressed into our hearts over the course of the time we prepared to meet these girls right wherever they were in their personal relationships with God.

I knew then that this weekend would be different from the many others I had been on team for. These young woman needed to know they are loved fully and completely by their Savior,  with every fault and sin present. They were still the most precious jewels in God's eyes.

As we arrived very early Saturday morning and greeted the girls, you could feel their apprehension. They were not excited to be shuttled away to a mountain top to talk about Jesus all weekend. When we asked how many came because their parents told them they had to, more than 3/4 raised their hands. I love thirteen year old honesty. We knew God had a plan and were not intimidated by the open animosity in some of their faces. Love was the answer and love is what they received for the next 36 hours.

So many acres of beauty just makes me want to go back.
God's creation truly is stunning!

Oceans and oceans of mercy and love swept over them as we discussed how much they were wanted and needed by their Redeemer. Every individual made by God is WANTED. Every person made by God is NEEDED in this world. Every person made by GOD is part of His plan. He will never reject them. He will never abandon them. He will never leave them alone, scared and frightened in the middle of the dark. GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES!

Slowly over the course of the day you could see each girl relax and open up a little more, like a flower blooming the warm sunshine. In each small group difficult things were being shared. Insecurities, deep wounds, apathy, protecting oneself with walls and barriers so no one could hurt them and lot's of fear of abandonment just to name a few. The team prayed for them and with them. There were walks along the lake and meals shared with giggles and singing. God was meeting them as they were in all their natural beauty.

We had worked through the program the team had laid out and finally it was time for Adoration on Saturday night. The chapel was lit with candles, Our Lord was present in the Monstrance. The girl's had already gone through confession that afternoon which just lifted this heavy feeling that had been hanging over all of us and pushed it out to sea. They were lighter, more free with their smiles and hugs. God was moving among them, creating new friendships and restoring old ones. The girl's raised their voices in song. When I say the Spirit was moving, I kid you not, you could FEEL His presence.

Can you see God's grace and mercy flowing through those windows??
It was powerful!

After exposing the Eucharist in the monstrance for Adoration we walked through the bible story of the Woman of Great Faith who was healed upon touching Jesus's tunic. We wanted them to know that whatever was weighing on their hearts, whatever they needed help with, whatever they needed God to heal, all they had to do was bring it before Him and He would bear it all. We offered them the opportunity to be prayed over. This can sometimes make the girls back away. They don't want anyone to hear their most intimate yearnings. We explained that no one would but God. We all knelt in silent prayer for a few moments with the team asking for God's guidance and provision of the right words for the right girls. Then two teams of two went forward and stood before Our Lord and waited for the girls that would come forward to be prayed over. Based on past weekends, I expected that maybe ten or twelve girls would do it.

It's hard to describe what happened next. All I can say is that it felt like God's heart broke wide open and just flowed over these girls like honey, sweet and pure, engulfing them in such grace. Tears spring to my eyes typing these words. 

EVERY SINGLE GIRL CAME FOWARD!

Every single one. It was like watching a flood of need rushing to the cross for healing and mercy. In all my years of being on team for this retreat I have NEVER seen anything like it. God's generosity can never be out done.

What were they looking for? What was missing for them?

I think the general theme was a Father's unconditional love. There are so many broken families. So many girls without a father in their lives to love them and treat them like a princess. They were starving for this kind of affection and understanding. With my hands open and my arms raised I prayed harder than I have in a very long time for God's love to just flow and heal every broken corner of their hearts. 

Oh...how it flowed. 

The girls were overwhelmed and so happy. It took almost two hours to pray over each one of them but if felt like five minutes. Then the two teams called forth the retreat team. That is when I understood why God called me to be on this weekend. 

These wild daisies reminded me of the girls in their sweet innocence
trying to maintain their natural beauty and purity among all the
weeds and muck of the modern world. 

You see I have been struggling with some thing lately that I have kept very close to my heart, not sharing with anyone but my God in prayer. They have to do with my roles as daughter and as mother. Relationships are tricky and over time they can be laden with all kinds of baggage. It begins to wear on your soul and brings you down. As the prayer team prayed over me, all of this rushed forward and burst through my heart and God gave me words of strength and such ENCOURAGEMENT! 

What was said will stay between me and My Beloved but let me assure you that I awoke this morning with a completely new perspective on things. I am still His little girl and I still have a lot of work to do but He will be there all the time. He promised and I believe in a God that never breaks his promises. 

44 feels a lot like 13 I have to say. New and scary with big dreams still ahead of me. That's not a bad thing at all!

mary's book basket ~ "a lancaster county christmas" by suzanne woods fisher

I love Christmas stories. I love Christmas. It's a time for families to come together and share in the joy of the season. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a wonderful novel celebrating family, forgiveness and figuring out what is most important in life.

Product Description:
Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.


Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality. 


Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?


With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.


Here is what I love about Fisher's work. She keeps the story going until the very last page. You do not skim a Suzanne Woods Fisher novel. You will miss an important detail. In A Lancaster County Christmas, Fisher brings together two couples, both struggling with their own issues. It's like a collision of cultures between the Amish world and the English world. The couples realize they are not that different, and many of their worries are similar.

Without giving away the story, something happens that forces them to work as a team. Through the crisis that arises each couple finds forgiveness and hope for the furture. Fisher sense of setting is incredible with her attention to the details of Amish life. You are drawn into a way of life that is quite extraordinary in it's simplicity. This is a very quick read and one that I know you will enjoy.

mary's book basket ~ "a heart revealed" by julie lessman

I am a HUGE fan of Julie Lessman's work. So when I received her newest release in the mail I knew it was going to be a long fun evening. Julie has kept me up all night long more than once with her delightful prose, fabulous characters and wonderful sense of time and place.

"A Heart Revealed" is the second book in Lessman's Winds of Change series. I think it's her best book to date. She takes the reader back in time to


Product Description:
Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to destroy her. Could Sean and Emma ever have a future together? Or is Emma doomed to live out the rest of her life denying the only true love she's ever known?
Filled with intense passion and longing, deception and revelation, A Heart Revealed will hold readers in its grip until the very last page.


That last line of the product description could not be more true. This romance held my attention to the very last paragraph. I think the key to this novels success is the emotional journey both the hero and heroine go through. Lessman handles the subject matter of physical abuse with such delicacy it's quite impressive. The emotional depth of these characters brings them alive on the page. You know them and are going through everything with them. I think one of the most powerful scenes of the book is when Emma comes to understand that she really is forgiven and free from her past. When Father Mac walks her through the process of confessing her sins and unburdening her soul, it's just so poignant and you can actually feel her relief.  It was just so beautifully written.

Then there are the secondary charachters. The O'Connor family has grown and changed. It's fun for those who have read Lessman's first series The Daughter's of Boston to catch up with the goings on of this wonderful family. Their antics of them and their children are just wonderful. Lessman write's about the good the bad and the ugly of family life with honesty and authenticity. She has such a gift for drawing in the reader and transporting them to a different time and place. If you haven't figured it out, I really LOVED this book!

So do yourself a favor and go buy your own copy, then brew a lovely cup of tea and prepare yourself for one long wonderful night of reading!

pretty, happy, funny, real...

I missed last weeks edition of {pretty, happy, funny, real} as we were recovering from our little trauma. I still feel like I am way behind in life but I guess that's just where I am these days. I need to keep reminding myself that today is all that matters and tomorrow will take care of itself. So this weeks pictures are a little snapshot of contentment in this moment. If you want to see more joy, head on over to Like Mother, Like Daughter and join in on the fun. 

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

@Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

She kept shaking her head, hence the edge blur, but I have to say I love this photo.
Miss Courtney is very happy 95% and I happen to think she is the most beautiful
nineteen year old on the planet. Just sayin!

{happy}

This is my guy in the kitchen with his two favorite tools.
He has really been there for me in the last ten days as I have
devoted so much more time to Courtney's care. He can only cook two things,
eggs and pancakes, but he does them VERY well. He also makes me laugh, a lot.
Thanks honey for making me laugh for the last 23 years.
I don't know how I would do this without you!

{funny}

This was taken with my phone last week in the ER as we were
waiting on the discharge papers  for Miss Courtney. Jerry HATES
hospitals with a deep abiding passion, so after five or six hours he gets a little punchy.
Here he was discussing the evil alien probe...I'll stop there...
it was funny...yep he was VERY punchy...but cute!

{real}

Wanna know what a menopausal rosacea laden almost 44 year old woman
looks like at 3 a.m. while holding her very awake, refusing to sleep daughter?
Well, I am here to oblige. NO make-up, no sleep, taken with my phone. Not so flattering BUT we were home instead of in a hospital room.
Just keepin it real here at Chez Lenaburg!

tasty tuesday - cod w/ roasted tomato salsa

the salsa can be used on chicken as well. it's just that good!

I love the Food Network. I spend most Saturday mornings watching and being inspired while I iron and take care of simple home tasks. One Saturday, I started to drool when I saw Pat and Gina Neely doing something completely out of character for these two pork lovers. They made a lighter seafood dish. There is no bacon or BBQ sauce, which for a Neely dish is sayin' something.  It does however have this absolutely divine roasted red tomato salsa that takes it to the next level. It is so tasty! I even doubled the recipe and used it again the next day as part of our omelets for breakfast. It was even better the next day. So yummy and quite simple to prepare. So give it a try.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

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This weeks recipe is being shared with Mouthwatering Mondays @ ASouthernFairyTale,  Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits, Nap Time Creations, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Domestically Divine Homemaking Link Up, What's Cooking Wednesday @ Tales from the Fairy Blogmother, Raising Homemakers, Delicious Dishes, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, The King's Court IV, This Chic Cooks, Tuesdays at the Table, 33 Shades of Green, Recipe's I Want to Try @ At Home with Haley, The Lady Behind the Curtain, Full Plate @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Friday Flair @ Whipperberry as well as the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop@21st Century Housewife. Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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Cod with Roasted Tomato Salsa

Recipe courtesy The Neelys

Ingredients:

6 plum tomatoes, sliced into quarter wedges

1/2 red onion, sliced into quarters

Olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

7 cloves garlic

1 jalapeno, sliced in half and seeds removed

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

4 (5-ounce) center-cut cod filets, skinned

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Add the tomatoes and red onion to a bowl and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add to a greased baking sheet. Add the garlic to a square of tinfoil, drizzle with olive oil and seal. Place on the sheet tray and roast for 25 minutes, until charred and tender.

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Add the vegetables and garlic to a food processor along with jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice; pulse until chunky. Taste for seasoning and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.

Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the fish and cook for 4 minutes per side. Top with the roasted salsa

mary's book basket - "grace for the good girl" by emily p. freeman

image source

I jumped for joy when Revell gave me the opportunity to review Emily P. Freeman's first book "Grace for the Good Girl". As a longtime reader of her fabulously inspirational blog Chatting at the Sky, I have watched the evolution of this incredibly gifted writer, blogger and photographer. I love looking through her eyes at the world around us, finding a new ways to interpret her art. I am learning that we are all artists. Emily is an artist. I am an artist. God calls us to share that art with the world. No ones art looks the same and that is a awesome thing.

It was a privilege to read this book. It changed my perspective on a few things. I am a perfectionist. I have shared that with you all many times over the years. Emily's book is like a 12 step program that helped me let go of some of those issues. I mean really let go. Well, let's be honest. I am still working through it but at least I am further down the road. She taught me that I don't have to please to be loved. I don't have to perform to be accepted. I am loved and excepted every single day by the one who made, My  Beloved Lord. I don't have to mask the truth of my life with a smile 24/7 cause life just doesn't roll that way.

I am grateful for Emily's book. God's timing is perfect timing and I needed to read this last week. In the midst of all the drama with Miss Court , I had Emily reminding me to trust and just be in the moment. I didn't have to be happy or confident. I could be freaked out. I could worry. I learned that even in the most difficult of circumstances, God is with me. He will carry me through, always! I need to let the mask go and rely on His grace alone.

We are all beautifully broken. There is nothing in our life that is unredeemable. That fact is still difficult for me to wrap my head around but I guess that's where faith comes in. So if your stuck in that place where you are more comfortable behind the mask of perfection and low self-worth, then please go read this book. Let go and let God's grace reign in your life.

mary's book basket - "deadly pursuit" by irene hannon

Inspiration Romantic Suspense author Irene Hannon has hit another home run with her latest novel, "Deadly Pursuit". What I really enjoy about her novels is how she is able to intertwine elements of romance, thrilling mystery and a spiritual inner journey for the hero and heroine. Her pacing of the action along side the emotional journey and inner conflict of the characters is really amazing. It's an intricate dane for a writer and Ms Hannon does it very, very well.

This is a quick read, filled with suspense and a very satisfying emotional journey for the reader. I look forward to the next novel in the series.

Product Description:

As a social worker, Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children and seeing that justice is served on their behalf. But when she starts getting harassing phone calls and bizarre "gifts," it seems she may be the one in need of protection. When her tormentor's attentions take a violent turn, her brother Cole comes to her aid, along with his new partner, an ex-Navy SEAL, Detective Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Protecting Alison has become more than just a job--because his own happiness now depends on keeping her safe.


Chock full of nail-biting suspense and heart-melting romance, Deadly Pursuit is Irene Hannon's storytelling at its very best. Fans old and new will not want to miss the next story in this series starring siblings fighting for justice.

mary's book basket ~ "the queen" by steven james

In the latest thriller from Steven James, The Queen, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that takes the reader on one heck of a spell-binding, pulse-pounding, and incredibly intricate mystery that left me sleep deprived and really grouchy that his next book is not yet available. This is his fourth Bowers novel and it is his best yet, which is sayin something.

James puts his characters through the wringer. Their emotional health is called into question and their mental and physical issues are right behind. You will not put this book down. You will HAVE TO KNOW who the killer is. When James finally reveals their identity, well it's just flippin brilliant. The setting of wintery Wisconsin becomes it's own character, the plot is so full of twists and turns and the inner journey of our hero is James writing at it's best. I want to tell you more, I do! But I can't cause it will ruin it for you.

So go get this book! Then email me and tell me what you think. You will not be disappointed. Yes, it is that good.

the day after...

If there was one word to describe today...slow... and very, very boring...just the way I like it. BLISS!!

I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a Mac truck. Dealing with all the emotions from yesterday, trying to stay in the moment and not think about anything but making sure my girl was going to be OK is very draining. It takes me a day or two to get back on track.

Miss Courtney had a pretty peaceful night with only a short seizure around 1 a.m. It was so good to see her soundly sleeping holding her little stuffed dog. It was what I needed to be able to process everything that has happened in the last 24 hours.

I talked with Miss Courtney's team today. Her neurologist, gastroenterologist and dietician. They had all looked at her numbers from the blood work taken yesterday. They all agreed.

We dodged a bullet yesterday...a BIG one.

Miss Courtney goes from 0 to TROUBLE in less than a blink of an eye. I was told today that had we waited another hour or two, the outcome could have been very different. Not really what I want to hear the day after.

Her kidneys had started to show distress and had we not acted when we did, well let's just not go there.

God is good, God is good, God is really, really good!

Once more, Jesus and His Blessed Mother watched over Courtney and moved her Mama to move when we needed to move. I am always in awe of how things unfold with this child.

This is what Miss Courtney thought of today:

I thinks she's happy with the outcome as well. Thank you, dear wonderful readers,  for walking with us. Thank you for your prayers that I know continue even as I type this. I sometimes feel like I shouldn't be so public with our life. It can be quite draining to spend time with us. Then, I was reminded earlier today that Miss Courtney has a job to do and if I didn't share our journey than how would she do her job of bringing people closer to Christ one prayer at a time.

Thank you for always being there when we need you. Life is never an easy stroll but it's never boring that's for sure!

Love Always,
Mary

wait and see...

There are days and then there are days.

Miss Courtney has been fighting an intestinal virus the past few days. Yesterday was a rough afternoon with lots of nastiness. This morning she woke up in better spirits after a very long night fighting seizures and tummy ickiness.

I took her into the peds office this morning and they confirmed the virus and told us to go home and keep her hydrated. We would have to wait things out.

Around two o'clock this afternoon the bottom fell out. She began to have what we call "rolling seizures". She starts having a grand mall seizure, struggling with her breathing each time. She would be in the  seizure anywhere from three - twelve minutes, then come out of it, then back in again. They were rough.

Five minutes out, twelve minutes in.

Eight minutes out, 10 minutes in.

Lips turning purple, struggling to breathe. Then she would rest for a bit and it would start again. The seizure never really stops at this point. Even though her body might not be shaking, her eyes are rolled back and she is still seizing internally.

She's been through these before. Many, many times before. I stayed calm and just kept vigil. She made it through one and then another and then another.

I called the neurologist to find out what he wanted me to do. Wait it out or take her in to the ER? He was very emphatic. Get off the phone and call 911.


It's an incredibly terrifying feeling when you call 911. At that point you are no longer in control of anyhting. Of course I wasn't in control anyway, I was delusional in my thinking.

The sirens.

The seizures continue.

The quick calls and texts to family and friends begging for prayers. That horrifying thought sneaking into my heart...is this it? Is this the one God?

Daddy holding his girls hand in the E.R...

The  EMT's barking orders and MIss Courtney seizing, limbs extended, crying out in fear. Me trying to reassure her that she is not alone. Mama is with you Court. I'm right here...

Watching them trying to get and IV started. They stuck her FIVE times before giving up. They had to call down a specialist to the ER to get a line in.

Her eyes kept rolling back. She was still seizing. Make it stop! Please make it stop!

There was craziness all around me, the controlled chaos of an ER.

Nurses asking questions.

Doctors giving orders.

IV bags hung. Drugs given. Blood drawn. LOTS of blood drawn.

Respiratory rates. Oxygen levels taken. Heart rate off the charts.

Alarms going off. Lots of annoying beeping.

My Courtney right in the middle of it all. She was out of it at first. Then as the drugs took affect and her seizures started to ebb. In time the oxygen levels came up. She began to respond to treatment.

Father B arrived. He anointed her, blessed her and we prayed the rosary while we waited for Daddy to arrive. I think that's when I began to calm down. I knew people were surrounding Court in prayer and whatever happened, someone else was driving this bus. It sure as hell wasn't me!

Father told her that he had a deal with God. She would be just fine and tonight she would be sleeping in her own bed tonight. I laughed. I told him we would be here at least overnight with all the seizure activity. He told me to wait and see the goodness of the Lord.

Apparently that's what God needed us to do. Wait and see.

Within the next two hours, things shifted around again. She fell asleep and the seizures stopped. I am always amazed and relieved when this moment comes because I know that one day it won't happen. But today was not going to be that day. Thank you God, Thank you God!

All the test results started coming in. Nothing was wrong. I shook my head. What was going on? There had to be some reason for this insanity?

waking up...finally...

Apparently she was severely dehydrated and that was throwing everything off the rails. That's why they couldn't get the line in. Her veins were collapsing.

My stomach dropped. I thought she was doing OK. I thought we were on top of things. I thought I was doing enough to keep her well.

Tears welled up in my eyes. It's my fault.

I should have been more forceful at the doctor's office earlier. I should have given her more water than I had. I should have known that she needed more. My heart was racing...I hate this! I hate not being able to help her! This is the hardest and most frustrating thing about raising a child like Courtney. She can't tell me when something is wrong. She can't tell me when her tummy hurts or when she's in pain.

Many times her seizures are the only indication that something is out of whack.

So, I guess in her own special way, she told me loud and clear that something was not right.

So we waited a little more. There was nothing more they could do for her. the seizures were stopped and her vitals had returned to baseline. She had two liters of fluid and was hydrated once more. Five hours later they let us take our girl home.

Father B was right. Miss Court was going to sleep in her own bed tonight. She is strong with the force, my daughter is. God has quite the job for her to do and apparently it's still needs doing. Wait and see he had said.

I know without a doubt in my heart that this was a direct result of your prayers. ALL of you!! Your tweets and FB posts surrounding my girl with love and prayers. You overwhelm my family with your LOVE! You truly do!

Someone told me this afternoon not to worry. I was not alone in this journey. God took the rest of the day to show me and my family HIS FACE, HIS HEART, HIS LOVE through each of you.

The best part of my day, was watching my girl's face light up when her brother came home from work an hour ago. Jonathan went right to his sister and started telling her what a trouble maker she was and that she needed to tone down the drama. Then he gave he kisses all over her sweet face.

She laughed. Full out laughed at Jonathan. I haven't heard that laugh in days. It is the best medicine for this tired Mama's heart.

This is the way things go in the Lenaburg house. Your walking along and then the bottom falls out. You hang on by your fingernails and just when you think it's game over, God shows His plan.

You just have to wait and see and soon enough HIS goodness will be there for ALL to see.

For today...everything's going to be OK.

tasty tuesday ~ fried rice w/sweet soy sauce

Filled with veggies and packed with flavor...a quick easy week night meal.

Monday through Friday are pretty busy around here. Up at 5 a.m. Out the door at 6:30 a.m. Arrive at school by 7:30 a.m. Class all day, home by 3 p.m. if there isn't therapy or a doctor's visit scheduled. I am tired and some days a little cranky so dinner needs to be quick and easy all while having a healthy profile. Enter Cooking Light Magazine and this lovely little dish.

I added chopped green onions, zucchini and red peppers just 'cause I had them on hand. This recipe really lends to those nights when you need to empty the veggie drawer. It's quick and easy, a little chopping, a little sautéing and walah...dinner!

I have to say that the crispness of the radishes on top were a lovely surprise. They were cool and crunchy. The sweet soy sauce kicked it over the edge. You don't need to use the whole recipe in the rice. I used about half of it and froze the rest to use the next time. 

Give this one a try. I think it will quickly become a favorite.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

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This weeks recipe is being shared with Mouthwatering Mondays @ ASouthernFairyTale,  Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits, Nap Time Creations, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Domestically Divine Homemaking Link Up, Full Plate @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Raising Homemakers , Delicious Dishes, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, The King's Court IV, This Chic Cooks, Tuesdays at the Table, 33 Shades of Green, The Lady Behind the Curtain, Friday Flair @ Whipperberry as well as the Hearth and Soul Blog Hop@21st Century Housewife. Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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Fried Rice with Sweet Soy Sauce

adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, August 2011

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons peanut oil, divided

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 finely chopped shallots
1 red pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 zucchini, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 chopped serrano chile

4 cups cooked long-grain brown rice

2 tablespoons Indonesian sweet soy sauce or sweet soy sauce (recipe below)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced daikon radish

1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

1/3 cup fresh mint leaves

1/3 chopped fresh cilantro

4 lime wedges

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; swirl to coat.  Pour eggs into pan; cook for 2 minutes or until set; stirring once.  Remove eggs from pan.

2.  Increase heat to high, and add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to pan.  Add shallots, garlic, and chile; Add rice; stir-fry for 3 minutes or until lightly browned.  Add cooked eggs; soy sauce, salt and pepper, toss to combine.  

3.  Top with radish and herbs, and serve with lime. 

Sweet Soy Sauce:

Bring 1/4 cup lower-sodium soy sauce and 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar to a boil in a small sauce pan over medium heat.  Simmer 2 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup.

the blessing of time...

Today has been a challenging Monday. I found out this morning that one of Miss Courtney's schoolmates passed away yesterday after battling an illness over the last month. Ryan was his name, but we all called him The Professor, due to his studious good looks. I ask for your prayers for the repose of his soul, for his Mom and Dad and his older sibling. There world has been rocked by this. They thought they had more time.

Time.

It's something I think about often. My Courtney has outlived every timeline that has ever been given. I don't know why this is, I just walk by faith that there is still something more for her to do here. There are days when I am at peace with this and others where I feel like I am at war with the world.

God challenges me specifically on a daily basis with the issue of trust. Do I really trust him with EVERYTHING in my life?

Every time she has a seizure and begins to turn blue?

Every time she coughs and begins to choke because she swallowed wrong?

Every time her breathing is so shallow, You have to check and make sure she's OK?

Do I?

I'm still working on it. It's a daily battle of wills.

Courtney is sleeping right now, all curled up in a ball. Safe and sound. My heart brakes for Ryan's Mom whose arms are empty tonight. His time here is done. God has declared it so. I know she was not ready to let him go.

Is a mother ever ready?

No...never.

Am I trusting her COMPLETELY to God's providence or am I questioning His will once more?

As Miss Courtney turned 19 last month my husband and I marveled at her strength and perseverance. We never imagined this is what life would look like with the blessing of time.

It is not an easy thing raising a child with significant special needs. It is not fun or exciting. There are late nights and early mornings, followed by no sleep for weeks.

There are endless doctors visits and therapy sessions and your bank account will never recover from the experience. In the end though what does any of that matter?

When the joy comes in a smile or laughter or in some recognition that she knows we are here, that we love her with everything we have, that is what makes it ALL worth it.

I love this girl. I love her with my entire life. I love her like Ryan's Mom loved him. Now she will have to let him go.

I pray that I have the grace and strength to survive that when the time comes. Today though I am blessed with more time. So we live, we love and we remember a beautiful boy who lit up a room with his smile.

Oh how we will miss him...