"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, July 09, 2012

Monday Musings



Now this is a group of barns - gosh I'm not so good at this - but . . .I do try - right?  Not a remarkable one - but the thing I was so surprised at in SC are the number of barns - I have never seen so many in my life!  Or maybe I'm just noticing more.  I am learning to love barns! And I love when y'all write me and  tell me what kind they are and what they are used for.

 


You know what I wish - I wish I had a chef - I could use one - I love to eat healthy, but I can't say I love to cook (maybe because I am too busy on the internet).  I would eat healthy all the time - if only someone else would make it for me!

Now this looks good to me for some odd reason.

Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise


Okay - I have NOT made this - but I have made a copy of this to make because I think it would taste good.  Click here for recipe.  If you make it let me know and when I do I will let you know. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:



You all are great friends.  Thank you.

Okay I have some advice - a gift to give you:

  Appreciate every single day - love everyone you can - and always know that each day is a gift - you don't know about tomorrow.

I went out to dinner June 28th - for a birthday dinner - just by a God Wink I invited Geri - 91 years and strong and sound mind - to the party.  The very next day she had a stroke and I visited her last night in hospice.  She is dying they in a few days.  She held my hand.  She knew me.  She knew she was dying.  She is not afraid.  She knows where she is going and she will be with her daughter.  But isn't it odd that one day you are so strong and the next day you are not.  Sorry about being sad - again - but I am not sad about her going to Heaven - I am sad about her leaving here, but she will be better than okay in a few days.


  x_31c37fa



55 comments:

Catherine said...

I hate cooking and hubby and son are very picky eaters. I would love to have a chef too. Now all I need is to figure out how to accomplish that. :p
That burger looks yummy!

Happy Monday!
xo C

MadSnapper said...

me to on hate cooking, i also hate deciding what to cook even more than cooking. let us know if you make the bean burgers. i love beans, so it might be good. sorry to hear about your friend, and it is so true, we don't know what the next minute will bring into our lives.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Sorry to hear about Geri.

I love black bean burgers. :-)

Reena said...

Don't enjoy the cooking either! Ugh! And yes, we need to enjoy each moment we are given ... never know when it will may change! Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

We do seem to go through little spells where it seems like every day we hear of an older family member or friend packing their bags for the ultimate trip. May she travel in peace.

Liz Mays said...

I have got to try a black bean burger again. It's been years since I did that!

Jill said...

I've been wanting to try black bean burgers...not sure if I can sell Becky in them though.

I'm so sorry to hear about Geri. May she rest in peace. When my Mom passed, I wanted to tell the world what you've told us today. It's the best advice. We can never go back. God be with you during this difficult time. *hugs*

Debbie Jones said...

It is so great that you invited your friend out for that last fun dinner before she had a stroke. You helped her have some final good memories of friendship. May you have peace as your friend passes away. Thank you for your great posts! I enjoy them. Have a wonderful Monday.

Cheri said...

Sandie...you posted a picture of me at the top.

As for the chef idea...I am so with ya on that one. I like to bake but the day to day cooking not so much.

Jocelyn said...

Love the friends graphic... so true of all my friends :) Happy Monday!

Debbie said...

Yes, she will be better than OK in a few days. I'm so glad you spent the time with her when you did. I am very convicted that I do NOT do that enough. I have notions of folks to visit but don't always or even often act on them.

And I need to click to the recipe. The man of this house loves black beans, and they are SO GOOD for you!

Changes in the wind said...

Wished I like black beans but am afraid I don't. Sorry about your friend....you have had a lot of loss recently.

Joyce Gray said...

Your words ring so true for me. The first anniversary of my best friends passing is coming up. She was only 62, very sudden, one lesson I learned from her passing, tell everyone close to you , you love them every time you see or speak to them.

betty said...

How wonderful that you listened to God's wink and thought to invite Geri to that gathering; of course no one but God realized it at the time, but it was a celebration almost of her life while she was able to enjoy time with special friends. 91 is a good age to live to; but I am sorry for the events and the family's loss in a few days, as well as you who love her too.

how fun that you are enjoying barns!! nice hobby to have while taking long drives!

betty

Pondside said...

Your friend had one last good party before going home - what a blessing. I'm sorry for your loss, but you're so right about things being better for her soon.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Every day is a gift. It's up to us how we use it. It's never too soon to let our loved ones know just how much we love them. There is just no room in my life for angry words or discouragement either. We must do what we can to make each day the greatest we possible can. So sorry you will be loosing your friend but I love how you said that very soon she'll be better than OK. Hope your Monday is a wonderful one!

TARYTERRE said...

So sad about your friend. But it is the cycle of life. She will be in a better place soon. You take care.

tammy said...

I would put some Rooster Sauce on that burger...Ha!

I like to cook just not the clean up though when I'm visiting I let the host cook and get accolades and I help by cleaning up after.

So sorry about your friend!

Grandma Bonnie said...

That burger sure does look good. I could use a chef also. I like to cook but I get to busy to cook for pleasure.
sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you have a good week.

Susan said...

Hi Sandie....I'm with you 100 percent on the cooking. If somebody else could cook all the healthy meals and I just had to eat them, that'd be A-okay with me.

Well, hope you have a good day today. How wonderful you invited your friend for your last bash together. She will wait for you on the other side. May the Lord send in a legion of His angels to surround her as she makes the transition to the other life. Susan

Linda said...

I admire you for listening to the Spirit nudge you about inviting Geri. I think the Holy Spirit whispers in our ears about things to say and do......I have never regretted following His lead. Just wish I would do that all the time!

It is AMAZING how quickly LIFE can change for any of us......in a split second! Enjoy TODAY while it is TODAY!

momto8 said...

I have my whole family looking at barns...who would have ever thought that?!

andy said...

Oh those burgers sound yummy! !!!!

Beth said...

I always said I would eat healthier too if I had a chef. Ain't gonna happen. lol

TexWisGirl said...

i like the fly-by barn scene. :) and glad you got to visit your friend...

Unknown said...

Lovely barn pic :) mmmm I see what you mean about the 'chef' thing...I find it very boring to cook for just one person, so I keep it very simple unless I'm going out for a meal. Happy Monday my Friend!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

That burger looks YUMMY! Please do let us know how it turns out ... if it's a winner, I will definitely add it to my recipe library!

I'm so sorry about Geri ... the prospect of losing a dear friend tears at our hearts, we can take comfort when we know that they're going Home.

Charlotte Wilson said...

I used to like cooking but not anymore. Somehow when I have carrots and broccoli in the refrigerator i feel virtuous even when I don't eat them and wind up throwing them out when they go bad.
You are so right in appreciating each day that we have. And so wonderful that you got to see your dear friend before her dying.

♥charlotte

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh Sandie life really is full of ups and downs! I'm always glad when you share your feelings with us here! You know I don't cook much anymore...I too would love to eat if someone else cooked! Oh well...not happening anytime soon! Happy Monday sweet friend. Hugs, Linda

photowannabe said...

I am so glad to acted on the prompting of the Spirit and invited your dear friend to dinner.
its a cherished memory.
Cooking isn't my strong suite either. I definitely need a chef and I know my Hubby would be thrilled.
We are surviving on what comes out of the kitchen after almost 49 years, so I guess I'll just keep on keeping on!

Shelly said...

Black beans sound really good-

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love to cook, Sandie but not when it's so hot as it has been. My wondow air cxonditioners don't cool my kitchen well in that tuype of heat.

Sorry to hear about your friend. My Mom was 89 and active and alert and then one day just got dizzy and weak. I took her to the ER and she passed away within hours of heart failure. I think her quick end was a blessing. A shock to all of us but a blessing she didn't suffer.

Unknown said...

Sweet Sandie, you always brighten the day. Glad you had a lovely dinner.

May God hold Geri closely on her final journey to Jesus.

Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs & love,
Marydon

Unknown said...

Just think, how lucky Geri will be soon! Bless her Sweet Jesus!

Lynn said...

I'm so glad you got to have that last dinner with Geri.

Knitty said...

I feel less guilty knowing it isn't just me that doesn't enjoy cooking any more.

I love your Thought for the Day. I am going to save that and also share it.

Hubby couldn't agree with you more about appreciating every single day. One of his golfing buddies has been in the hospital for three weeks. He was fine one moment, then collapsed with a stroke.

I've been looking for a pun about barns to give you on a Monday but they don't seem to be available. I did find a joke that takes place in a barn though:

A farmer was milking his cow. He was just starting to get a good rhythm going when a bug flew into the barn and started circling his head. Suddenly, the bug flew into the cow's ear. The farmer didn't think much about it, until the bug squirted out into his bucket. It went in one ear and out the udder.


Admit it....you love me! Or at least you tolerate me very well!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful post Sandie ......... and so very true! Life is too short to waste even a minute!

Sally said...

I really don't mind cooking if there's more than me here. :)

I'm sure Geri has missed her daughter very much, and that will be a happy reunion. Bless them both, and you also. ((hugs))

Blondee said...

How sweet of you to include your dear friend on a spur of the moment dinner date. What a lovely last memory of her earthly time to share with all those who have gone before her once she enters His kingdom.
I am sorry your heart is heavy once again. Know she will be just out of sight, and your will see her again.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about Geri, that's hard-especially so soon after losing another friend. Take care of yourself.

Dee said...

I seldom cook...but I have a chef...my husband Frank. It is comforting for all to know your friend is not afraid for she knows where she is going...what glory lays ahead. I believe your barn is a hay barn...but then I only photograph barns... in fact I think that will be the subject of my tomorrows post.... Barns. Love the thought of the day...I pray I am that kind of friend.

Michaele said...

I would settle for a house-cleaner and that way I would have more time for cooking : )
This reminded me of what my dad (who is a real joker) told a handicapable woman friend of his.
"If you fall down, I will won't pick you up, but I will lay beside you so it looks like you belong there."

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Geri. It was definitely a God-wink that you were lead to ask her to go to dinner with you! May you be comforted by the knowledge that she will be in a better place and that someday you will see her again.

I'd like to have a chef, too! It's a chore lately to think of something different to eat that is healthy every day. And the hot weather means that I don't want to turn the oven on.

Take care. Hugs, Cheryl

Ann said...

Sorry to hear about your friend but it was nice that you had one last celebration with her.
I also hate cooking. Not only cooking but then cleaning up after. If I could get away with it I would make myself a sandwich ever day and just eat it at my computer....lol

renae said...

Sandie, you made me cry - tears of bittersweet emotion - awh. i so look forward to your posts everyday. I read every word and feel a bit obnoxious to comment on every one - so some days I skip commenting but today's was very touching. we never know do we? we just never know when we won't be strong, but that's ok, too - awh.

Betty said...

Was it your birthday June 28th and I missed it?

I'm sorry about your friend. Life is uncertain...that's for sure. What I've noticed is that after a certain age a fall can change someone's life forever. I'm getting paranoid about falling lately. I'm being very careful, but I think that can backfire too.

I agree with love everyone you can, each day is a gift, etc., but don't forget to forgive and not hold grudges too. It seems like a lot of people forget that one.

Sweet Tea said...

It seems you having to say "Goodbye" to often these days. I'm sorry, for you but so glad you were there to enjoy a good time with her when she was about the business of living - and now there to hold her hand as she is leaving...Our community lost 2 17 yr old girls in an awful car wreck this weekend. So sad to say "goodbye", isn't it?

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Being a good friend is sometimes more important than you know as shown here. It would be great if folks had "no regrets" about not having contacted a friend, surely you should have none for being a wonderful friend to Geri. Sure, she knows that too, Cathy.
By the way, I dislike housekeeping as well having just done some today.

Lois Christensen said...

I'm sorry you're losing another friend. It is sad no matter the comfort have in knowing we will see them again, we still miss them. I would cook a meal for you to hopefully brighten your day!

Mary said...

I agree, heaven will be great. We here have the problem...ps.. love the blue clad vamp.

Suzan said...

What a gift to you both that you were able to spend time with your friend while she was strong. Life is a gift and even though we KNOW that your love one will go to heaven- we are sadden by the thought of not seeing and touching that special person. Geri will continue to live -- in your heart and your soul.

Paula said...

Poor little green furry thing. Monday is my favorite day of the week and New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday. I always think of them as new beginings. I'm sorry your friend is so ill but she and you have a good attitude. I wish I had someone to cook for us too. I don't mind the cleaning or laundry.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

My heart is sad for you- to have to say goodbye to your friend.

thank you for the black bean burger recipe
love
tweedles

Arkansas Patti said...

I am so sorry about your friend. I guess it is a blessing both that you got to spend great time with her right before her stroke and to be able to be reassured she is quite all right with her fate. Faith makes all the difference.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

A chef would be awesome! So sorry about your friend. Glad you got to visit with her. ((HUGS))
Love, Debby