Cheers to health

 Good afternoon from southern Indiana USA. What a beautiful day it is. I feel better today, The last chemo, which is supposed to be my last chemo dragged on a couple weeks, so I felt more fatigue. I also haven't been eating quite as well as I should. No one to blame but me. I've consumed too many diet Cokes and Reese's peanut butter cups. Both are addicting to me. I need to especially be vigilant these days! Now I am here sipping H2O from my water bottle after a nice Spring walk around the block. My husband and I just went out and got a beautiful Dogwood tree to plant. He is working on that now. It has dark pink flowers with a bit of white right in the center. It has blossoms on it so we will still get to watch it bloom this year, The weather improved. It is a sunny in the 60s day,

My face has been breaking out in Rosacea. More than usual. I'm on Hercepton which helps keep cancer from spreading but the rash can be a side effect of it too, I've been having breakouts every month since I started with it always around the same time after the treatment.  Caffeine does it to me also and chocolate or just junk food or greasy stuff . My face will tell on me when I should be eating better!

I was looking for recipes online that were healthier. I think the air fryer makes a healthier difference than other fryer methods. It has some cheese but parmesan which is healthier than some of the heavier cheeses and it adds flavor.

Parmesan Chicken looks pretty yummy!

Ingredients

2 large eggs

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

1 cup pasta sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional: Chopped fresh basil and hot cooked pasta

Directions

Preheat air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with crumb mixture.

Place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 165°, 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through. Top chicken with sauce and cheese. Cook until cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes longer. If desired, sprinkle with chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese and serve with pasta.

Cheers to Good Health, I pray you all prosper in health and happiness!

Cheryl 💗

Midweek thoughts

Oh this age with a whole lifetime ahead, Every day holds something new and theres always so much to learn. I think learning helps keep us young if we are open to explore and learn.One of the things I admired about my nephew JP who just passed away at the young age of 43 is that his life was filled with adventure. He loved the west, beautiful and rugged Montana. He lived in the highland desert. He loved the Big Sky country and open land dotted with cattle. His daughter wanted a special kind of cow for graduation present. His children have picked up on his love for the country, Also, he started his own company as an insurance adjuster that helped people get the help they needed and were intitled for. He was always helping people.

There's a lot to say about having a purpose filled life. My passion is my family and I love to write and do photography, God gives us creative ways to use those talents and passion he places in our hearts. I'm not too great at being talkative face to face but after Iknow you I think I do OK. My nephew just lit up a room with his presence, He was a talker and he had this incredible confidence about him. I guess we should all be confident we are God's children . He has us here for a purpose and I believe he delights in his creation.

This is little Saylor. He's a real smiler, happy baby. His smile is a gift from God.

My mind just keeps seeing images of my nephew. I think it's always that way when we lose someone. Those images are gifts from God. Blessed times.

I'm just starting to get to know some of you and I thank God for the new friendships as well as those Ive known for years. God places people in your life for a reason. Glad t o get to know you. Have a blessed week!

 

 This is such a beautiful song. In times of sadness or when I am not feeling well I find so much healing and strength in beautiful music, especially with words like these. 

I'm doing better but sometimes I have bad days, My heart is so heavy right now with the passing of my nephew who leaves behind a sweet wife and 3 children. This is ging to be a long process of healing for so many. The grief is so deep.

None of us understand why these kind of things happen but what can we comprehend this side of eternity when we see in part but God knows in whole. I wish I could just get a peek into Heaven and see him and the joy on his face. I'm having a rough time today. I'm better at writing more positive things but we all need our tearful times. The Bible says God holds our tears in a bottle. 

I'm not sure what he does with them but I imagine him pouring them out on dry thirsty places where it sems like nothing is growing and things starting to come to life. Thats what I love about Spring. New Life.

Some life has been there all along but we just need Gods touch of restoration. Living water!

So thankful for those wonderful people God has placed in my life. 

Who Is God To Me?

The One who sees my most inward parts and loves me in spite of my struggles,

The One I can call in the darkest hours of the night unafraid I will wake Him because He never sleeps.

The One that I can pour out my heart and soul to and know that even though nothing is hidden from Him I am loved.

The One who reached to me with a strong and gentle hand when I was sinking in the murky waters of discouragement.

The One who has called me and will equip me each and every day of my life , the One who is faithful.

The One who does not dwell in temples made with hands but within a heart that is formed by His own hands.

The One who holds my tears in His bottle and pours in the oil of His healing to a hurting heart.

The One who sings over me in the night with a song that speaks life and shines hope where there is despair.

Let Them Be Little and treasure every day

 Never take anything for granted, especially the blessings of life that money cannot buy. Hold your babies, sing to them, read to him, carry them just a little longer even though they may be getting heavy for these days do not last long. If we live to 100 it still is so short in the realm of eternity. Please pray for my family. My sisters heart is broken. She is the one who recently underwent emergency open heart bypass surgery and was fighting for her own life. Physically she is doing very well. Her emotions need prayers now.

My 43-year-old nephew has entered into eternity this past weekend, There was a chimney fire in his home and he collapsed outside working on that. He was strong, young with a heart that followed after God and lovingly provided for his wife and three children, all young teens. He lived life to the fullest at the age of 43. He worked to make dreams come true and was adventurous and driven to success. His life was a success. His wife and children adored him as did so many of his family and friends. He made friends out of strangers. He was just that sort of person. He loved a good conversation. I can imagine him in Heaven talking with wide eyed interest to the great heroes of our face. I can imagine him hugging my dad and mom (his grandparents) What a reunion!

I can imagine him hugging our Lord Jesus and hearing the words, "Well done." He has entered into the joy of the Lord. 

We went to our sons small country church today. It was so wonderful. The minister spoke on Psalm 139 How God knows us so intimately ever before we were born, His thoughts toward us are precious.

Our great grandchildren sang with the other small children at church. That was so cute and joyful!

We had a nice lunch and enjoyed visiting time. When I looked at my son I thought about how he was only 2 years younger than his cousin JP who just passed away, It is just so unreal.

the two boys in the center are my sons Justin and Kevin. J.P. is the blonde on the left. These guys had great times together, 

Here is Angelica and Demitri. They are the ones who sang at church, Their little country church reminds of Little House on the Prairie in style. We sang hymns. I miss the hymns so much, seems it's very rare for modern churches to sing them now. I don't quite fit into some of the styles in music these days. At my son's little church people all know each other. It is relaxed as everyone feels free to share a testimony or prayer need. I love it!

I love this photo of the youngest little Saylor! He just ate lunch, and he is a smiley little one.

My son has a little hobby farm which is quite interesting!

I just love my family so much. They have been a big part of my healing on my health journey. I just think the little ones grow up so fast. There's no stopping that but there is time to lay aside somethings and stop and so the silly things, to giggle with them and to kiss boo boos when they hurt. 

We can learn so much from little ones. I am so blessed and humbled by their love!

I think it is so cool my granddaughter age 4 loves to watch Little House On The Prairie, I thnk I've seen all the episodes!

Good morning rainy day

 Good morning to you wherever you are. We have had some bitter cold weather but now it has warmed up but there is lots and lots of rain! What we get is what we get and there is a purpose in it all. I have to go get my PIC Care and labs done here shortly. It's simple pain free proceedure, Hoping and praying the labs will show a good report. So far everything has been good. The cancer markers down by over 90 percent now and I'm not anemic or sick, bllod counts are healthy, immunity is good. That's enough good news to dance in the rain to. Oliver was here a day ago. He finds something amusing to do in all kinds of weather, We keep plenty of toys for him too but mostly he loves the attention. He loves us to play with him and I love playing like a kid with him. Keeps me young!

Have a perfectly blessed day!

The husky is his beloved Cashew, He relates to it as a cat, Maybe it's the ears. Cashew meows lol

Oliver loves cats! He has stuffed toys that are cats to but Cashew is is best friend of them all!

 

I liked the photo of the water above because it looked to me that day like there were diamonds capturing the light, Is anyone familiar with Joni Ereckson Tada? I have a devotion book that she wrote called Diamonds in the Dust, I really believe God shows us his glory in so many ways. Joni has had a hard life because she was paralyzed in a diving accident at age 17 but her life shows so much of Gods beauty and glory as she has reached out in her ministry to so many,

Truly even and perhaps especially through difficult times God blesses us with little glimpses of Heaven on earth through the caring compassion of friends and the beauty of creaion 

“It’s simply a matter of faith—faith to observe God’s hand in absolutely everything that happens. Faith to believe that the flashing wings of a blue jay fluttering across the yard is a gift orchestrated personally by the Lord.”
― Joni Eareckson Tada, Diamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling Devotions

Spring

 It's a dreary day today but knowing it is officially Spring helps. I've been so behind on blogging that I am trying to catch up a little. I found a few Spring pictures. It seems a magical time of the year and I look forward to my walks at the Parklands with my camera again. This last winter has been long and it has had some hard challenges for me but there is much to look forward to right around the corner.

Just saying hello here and hope everyone is doing well. 

I'll leave you with one of my mom's poems. She was quiet a writer and a lady of faith. I think the Good Lord has a lot of work to do on me yet! I pray to also come forth as gold!

Earthen Vessel

In this vessel made of clay

My Lord Jesus came to stay.

And within this imperfection,

He is melting, molding shaping.

Such a treasure occupying,

Cleansing, purging, purifying.

Sometimes painful as he shapes,

For earthen vessels easily break.

Oh, so gently works the potter.

How he knows his fragile daughter.

Then I hear his voice so clearly,

Speaking words so tender to me.

"Just be still and know that I

will make you perfect by and by.

My earthen vessel made of clay

You shall come forth as gold someday."

Vi Liubakka

Joy

 

This is my auntie, Carol. She had 15 children and never ran out of love. This is her with a grandchild. Her middle name is Joy. This photo is pure Joy

Carol lived to 85 and she was also a uterine cancer survivor for many years!  Not sure I’ll make it so long but someday I’m going to give her a big hug. She’s one of the heroes of my faith!

Siesta Key and Lakeland

 Here I am back home in Indiana and really there is no place to relax than at home but it was so hard to leave the beautiful and warm state of Florida. When we arrrived home yesterday there were snow flurries! What a differance in the weather, brr! On the happy side I had a nice surprise today, My hyacinth's are in bloom.

We started out in the beautiful place called Siesta Key. It was a perk my son in law gets through his company. A free to use vacation condo time shared with other employees. They were so kind to invite us earlier this year but I was not sure I could do it with the journey I have health wise, thankfully I got the OK.

Family is one of the biggest joys life holds. We do a lot with family at home and on vacations as well.

Our grandson Oliver was so excited about everything this year. He is almost 3 now. His birthday is in June. That is a fun, fun age, It's wonderful to see the joy and excitement in his face.

He thought it was so cool to ride the trolley in the village at Siesta Key. 

He loved the beach too, so did I!

And I love sunsets.

My heart is so full of the blessings God gives and surprises me with that I was like a kid in the candy store.

Here's Ollie in the candy store in Siesta Key!

I was also delighted to get to go to the beautiful city of Lakeland Florida and meet up with Terri once again. We had a lovely lunch and stroll through the garden. It was truly beautiful. My husband enjoyed it so much also. Terri and I have been blogging friends for many years now. We were on an old site called Multiply until it closed down. I had a little difficulty getting used to this Google site  but I'm trying to get caught back up here on Blogging. I've met  some nice people here. I'm still learning how to navigate this social media.

My husband and I are planning on a trip this winter, Last years had to be postponed and I look forward to spending more time with Terri as well. I treasure her friendship. 

oh and those beautiful gardens! I have to go back and get some more pictures! One can never have too many photos of beautiful places.

This tree reminded me of a talking tree in an enchanted forest. It seems to have a personality. I liked looking up through the branches and the way the sun was shining through them.

What a lovely place!

It's been a wonderful restful vacation. I didn't see it coming but never underestimate what treasures may seemingly be buried in the winter rains and snows. Things certainly happen that are not easily understood but there are always new blessings and mercies for each day.

Quietly

Little seed, sight unseen buried beneath the cold, dark ground.

Unknown existence, seemingly dead yet containing the secrets of the future you.

Through the winter resting within your shell without a worry or a clue

Of the miracle that soon would be changing you

Your Master speaks, the seasons change, the earth softens with the springs rain.

According to His divine plan the life within you is stirred to push through the soil.

The rain subsides, the sun kisses the earth, and you begin to emerge a tiny sprout.

Within His time your tiny blossom becomes a flower, without a shout your quiet beauty reflects His power.

Cheryl

Never underestimate the power of quietness, It can be as strong as a shout or an unexpected blessing .

Wishing you all love and blessings!

Cheryl