Three Sweet Lessons from a Cup of Starbucks Coffee

May 8, 2013 By 23 Comments

Last week, my doctor suggested I start giving myself B-12 shots. My blood work revealed a low B-12 level. I’m a medical assistant and have given injections, but never to myself. I knew I could do it, but I wasn’t looking forward to it. That morning, I got a peculiar idea. The thought felt gentle. Warm. And utterly ridiculous.

A certain nurse would be teaching me to give the injections. I have CELIAC DISEASE and whenever I call the doctor with a question, this nurse helps me.

Take her a cup of coffee.

That’s silly. I don’t even know if she likes coffee.

Do it anyway.

What about sugar and cream? I’m not pestering her to find out…

Take the coffee.

I drove past the doctor’s office and turned into STARBUCKS.

This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Even if she likes coffee, I don’t know what kind to get her. Maybe she doesn’t do caffeine. Maybe I should get her hot tea.

Get her your favorite kind.

I ordered two cups of Sumatra.

Signing in at the doctor’s office, I started rambling to the girl behind the counter. “This is for my nurse. She’s been so sweet to me, but I’m not sure if she likes–”

“Are you kidding? She loves Starbucks.”

“What about sugar and cream?”

“She has her own concoction she adds.”

Handing my nurse the coffee, three unexpected things happened:

1. I forgot about myself. My health. My concerns.

2. My nurse became a real person to me. We talked a little about her world. And she loves Sumatra!

3. Learning to give myself shots, I felt no fear–only a big dose of gratitude.

Thank You, God. So many blessings from a cup of coffee.

Can you relate?

Love,

Julie

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Fear: A New Way of Thinking, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, The Pitfalls of Perfection Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Do You Have a Bossy Friend Too?

April 10, 2013 By 24 Comments

I have a great friend. A writer. She’s a member of my critique group. We call her Bossy Pants. You’d think with a nickname like that, we don’t like her. Not true. We adore her. But this weekend, I knew she was wrong about something.

A few of us from our critique group attended a Guideposts workshop at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. Lunchtime came and the hotel staff arranged a gorgeous platter of meats and cheese beside a mountain of bread. I’d told them earlier that I have to eat gluten-free. (I have Celiac.)

“I’m putting your tray by itself,” a server said. Picking up my food, I noticed someone had accidentally put a plate of bread on top of my tray. Bread’s a no-no for me, so I moved it and sat down to eat.

“Julie,” Bossy Pants said. “That’s probably your bread.”

“Can’t be.”

“Why would she have given it to you?”

Servers make mistakes. “I’m fine with just meat and cheese.”

“Don’t you want a sandwich?”

Well, of course, but I can’t have one.

To prove I was right, I headed down the hall and found the server. “You must’ve put this bread on my tray by mistake. I can’t–”

“That bread’s especially for you, honey,” she said. “It’s gluten-free.”

I didn’t just get enough bread for a sandwich. I got SIX pieces of soft, warm GF bread!!

“You’re right again!” I hugged Bossy.

“Told ya.” Her real name is Stephanie Thompson. Saturday, she was presented with a plaque that says, “I’m not bossy. I’m just helpful.” :-)

And she is.

Stephanie cares enough to:

1. Stand alone (if necessary) for what’s right.

2. Push you for your best.

3. “Speak the truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15

Do you have friends like Stephanie? Aren’t they wonderful!

P.S. The bread was from Rudi’s.

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Friendships and Mother/Daughter Relationships, Glimpses of God, Inspirational Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Perils of People Watching

February 20, 2013 By 28 Comments

The other night, my hobby of people watching brought out the ugly in me. Maybe because I’m a writer with a big imagination, I like to spy and figure out what might be going on in other people’s lives. I study mannerisms, reactions, and outfits. I’ll think things like…

He’s watching football and not listening to a word she’s saying. Now she’s texting. She looks mad. He’s gnawing on hot wings. Maybe she wants a baby and he doesn’t.

Restaurants and malls are great for people watching.

Crowded

 

So last week, my husband and I went out for pizza. (Incredible gluten-free pizza from Your Pie.)

I spotted a group of college-age girls. Boots tucked in designer jeans. Long sweaters down to their hips. I tried to create a storyline but they were chitty-chatting way too loud about nothing.

Wish I could say I came up with sweet scenarios.

But I didn’t.

In my heart, I moved past observing.

I judged them.

It happened so quickly. Less than 30 seconds. Mean thoughts…

You’re not all that funny. Do you have to be so loud? You’re just trying to get attention.

And then guess what…

Their pizza came and the girl with shimmery blonde hair said the blessing. It wasn’t a hurry-up-let’s-eat kind of blessing.

She prayed passionately. Honestly. Not for show. 

They even shut their eyes.

I wanted to crawl under the table. Ahhhhhhhh! They’re talking to You, Lord. Like I should’ve been doing instead of judging. Forgive me.

I was wrong. Way wrong.

After she prayed, she looked right at me and smiled.

I smiled back. From my heart. I’m so sorry.

I’m adding “people praying” to my “people watching” hobby.

Have you ever done what I did? Pleeeease, someone say yes…

Love,

Julie

 *above photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/davefayram/6485360921/

 

 

 

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Forgiveness, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Porch Party…Valentine’s Day Style and a GF Recipe

February 13, 2013 By 20 Comments

Every morning, my husband Rick and I start the day together on the front porch. Sunday morning at our Porch Party, I did a trial run for Valentine’s Day. I fluffed the red blankets in our rocking chairs, lit a red candle, poured our coffee in (almost) red mugs, and put out heart-shaped chocolate. I had a lovey-dovey question all ready for him.

(The blueberry muffins are gluten-free. Recipe at the bottom.)

“Let’s tell why we love each other,” I said.

He didn’t comment. Just petted Clyde, our yellow Lab.

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll go first. I love that you aren’t a whiner. You fixed the light in the well-house when it was 22 degrees outside without complaining. You’re honest. You’re funny. You’re a good father. I have lots more to say, but you go ahead. Name a few things you love about me.”

He rocked. Sipped his coffee. “All that stuff you said.”

“That doesn’t count. We’re opposites.”

“Help me out, Clyde. Why do we love her?”

I felt like Sally–doing all the talking.  Guess who was acting like Snoopy.

 

“Why do you love me?” I said.

“Lots of reasons.”

“Tell me one.”

“Well…you listen to people. You care.”

“Ohhh, that’s sweet. What else?”

He got quiet–finally said something. ”Look in that tree. There’s a mourning dove.”

“Um-hmm.”

“Hear that? She’s calling her mate.”

“Maybe he’s calling her,” I said.

“Could be.”

“They belong together. Like us. That’s what you meant, wasn’t it?” :-)

“Something like that.”

I smiled. His feelings are there all right. He just speaks in a different love language.

Readers, how about you? What’s your love language?

Incredible Gluten-free Bluberry Muffins and strawberry ones would be even more Valentine’s Day-ish!

(I found out I have Celiac five years ago.)

2 cups Pamela’s GF Pancake and Baking Mix  (There are other GF flours and flour mixtures.)

2 eggs

1/3 cup melted butter or veg oil

2/3 cup milk or yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt)

3/4 cup sugar  

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (keep frozen until ready to use)

1. Preheat oven to 375 and get pan ready.

2. Mix eggs, butter or oil, milk or yogurt, and sugar.

3. Add flour.

4. Fold in blueberries.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12-16 muffins.

Love,

Julie

 

 

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, Marriage, The Pitfalls of Perfection Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Only Seven Cookies…Or So I Thought

December 19, 2012 By 14 Comments

Wednesday morning, I stood in the kitchen staring at the plate of homemade cookies I’d baked. A gentle thought came to me. I came up with logical reasons to push the idea aside. For one thing, I’d made the cookies for a brunch.

The voice inside whispered to take a few cookies to a certain friend I’d met at the YMCA and tell her Merry Christmas. She deals with health issues. I’m drawn to her because of her radiance.

But…

I don’t know her that well.

A few cookies aren’t a real gift.

I won’t have time to make more cookies before I see her.

I should buy her something instead.

Save some cookies for her.

Just stick them in a Ziploc baggie with a bow?

Use a pretty Christmas bag and a card.

Wednesday afternoon, I almost chickened out. What difference could seven cookies make?

Handing her the small red bag, something supernatural happened.

I can’t explain it.

Joy exploded inside me. ”Merry Christmas. These are homemade cookies.”

Her shiny eyes met mine. She hugged me. “I don’t have any food in the house. I’ve been too busy to go to the grocery store. I’ll eat them tonight. Yummy! I can’t believe you did this.”

I almost didn’t. Thank you, Lord.

Shift gears with me.

This morning, I read Stephanie Shott’s post at The Mom Initiative. She’s requesting readers to write short prayers for those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. This time I didn’t argue with the Still Small Voice. I quickly added a prayer in the comment section with the others. My friend Robin wrote a beautiful post about carrying one another’s burdens. She shares a link to donate to the families.

I’m learning something so sweet.  Blessings follow obedience.  Even in the seemingly small things.

Love,

Julie

P.S. Robin’s cookie recipe. They’re GF. White chocolate cranberry walnut oatmeal.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Friendships and Mother/Daughter Relationships, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, The Pitfalls of Perfection Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What I’m Really Thankful For…and 2 GF Recipes

November 21, 2012 By 19 Comments

“What are you thankful for in our marriage?” I said at Saturday morning’s porch party.  I didn’t really expect an answer. I mean, what husband loves relationship questions, especially first thing in the morning? And this December, we celebrate our 34th anniversary–maybe too many years spent together to answer my question.

Rick rocked and drank his coffee. Stared toward the November trees.

“Camaraderie, I guess.”

“Really? Even though I don’t get into sports?”

“Yeah, we do life together.”

“I love that! Tonight will you cook with me? I have two new recipes, but they’re not your kind of food. Harvest Pumpkin Soup and Gluten Free Carrot Cake.”

“No problem. I’ll make some nachos too.”

We’ve started cooking together on the weekends–so much fun! Wish you could have seen him Saturday night. He was just like Snoopy fixing Thanksgiving dinner.

 He grated a big pile of carrots (which is a labor of love!) and chopped pecans for the cake. That’s our pumpkin soup in the blender.

Here’s the cake before I frosted it with homemade cream cheese icing–which is simple to make. Who knew?

Note the Betty Crocker GF yellow cake mix, but I added special ingredients. :-)

The finished dishes….

We couldn’t tell the cake was GF! I’m serious. And we ate every bite of our GF Harvest Pumpkin Soup.

All these years and I had no idea I was married to a pumpkin soup and carrot cake lovin’ man. :-)

Recipe for Harvest Pumpkin Soup from Country Living Magazine, November 2012.

Recipe for Gluten Free Carrot Cake from Betty Crocker. (I was diagnosed with Celiac disease 5 years ago.)

I’m REALLY thankful for doing life together. And I’m REALLY thankful to connect with each one of you~~

What are you REALLY thankful for?

P.S. Have you ever made carrot cake? Sorta like marriage.  Some work required but so worth it!

Love,

Julie

 

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, Marriage Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Sure Fire Remedy for Stinkin’ Thinkin’

October 31, 2012 By 18 Comments

Last week, my stinkin’ thinkin’ crept back in. If you’re familiar with Al-Anon or AA, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Stinking thinking means allowing thoughts that used to boss us around to return. To have their way. To do us in. My struggle isn’t with alcohol, but to worry, obsess, fix, and try to control–as ugly as it sounds.

I’ve been working my program for years, but Thursday stinkin’ thinkin’ tried to tie me in a tizzy.

And then the gentlest most obscure thought tiptoed in.

Why don’t you try to get to number 1,000 on your gratitude list?

Because I’d have to come up with sixteen things. Five is the most I’ve written in a day.

Try…

After reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp last year, I started listing things I’m grateful for in a little green journal.  With 984 gifts already noted, I decided to give it a shot.

I grabbed my journal and started snapping pictures.

#985. Clyde and Levi (our daughter’s Lab) having fun.

#986. Mounds candy bars. (I have Celiac Disease. Can’t eat wheat or gluten but Mounds are just fine!)

#987. Crunch of  fall leaves.

#988. My walking path.

 

#989. New copy of To Kill a Mockingbird.

#990. Summer slipping into fall–my favorite season.

 #991. Sweet aroma of the tea olive tree.

 On a roll! Having too much fun to worry. :-)

#992. Front porch gardenia is still thriving.

#993. Candlelight at my desk. Lord, You’re the Light of the world. And my heart.

#994. My novel characters and what they teach me.

#995. Ferns made it through October.

#996 One more pepper in the garden.

 #997. Laughing at our porch party this morning.

#998. Log parakeet house Rick is building in the backyard.

#999. Acorns falling at my feet.

and finally….

oh finally…..

Wo-hoo!

Hallelujah!

Number 1,000. When someone asked my opinion, I spoke the truth in love. :-)

Gratitude delivered me from my stinkin’ thinking.’

I’m on my way to number 2,000!

Has gratitude ever changed your outlook? I’d love to hear!

Love,

Julie

 

 

Filed Under: Addictions, Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Fear: A New Way of Thinking, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, The Pitfalls of Perfection Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Praising on the Patio

September 19, 2012 By 16 Comments

I didn’t grow up celebrating the seasons changing, but at three o’clock this past Friday afternoon, an idea tiptoed in. Something stirred my heart as I read my BFF’s blog about decorating for fall–a thought very different than my predictable self.

Every morning, my husband and I have porch parties, his idea. What if I shook things up and we had a patio party that night?

I called him. “Will you pick up some vanilla ice cream? We’re having a fall party tonight!”

“Who’s invited?”

“Just the two of us.”

By the time he got home from work, a wreath hung on the door, hotdogs were roasting on the grill, and I’d tried a new recipe for dessert.

 

Apple Pecan Crumb Pie

 

 

He lit the tiki torches and umbrella lights he’d bought to celebrate summer. 

 

After supper, we turned our chairs in the same direction and ate warm apple pie and ice cream. Listening to the crickets, we welcomed fall as we watched daylight softly fade into night.

Then I had an aha moment.

Celebrating for the seasons means more than shopping, cooking, and coordinating colors.

It’s a way to love others and worship our Creator.

#876 in my gratitude journal…Watching the nighttime sky together. :-)

How do you celebrate fall? And life? And those you love?

~Apple Pecan Crumb Pie~

(I added pecans and used gluten-free flour.)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans

4 apples, peeled and thinly sliced

Mix above ingredients and put into a greased pie pan

Mix below ingredients and cover apples with the mixture:

1/2 cup flour (I used Pamela’s gluten-free Pancake and Baking Flour)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Ps 121:2 NAS

Love,

Julie

 

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, Marriage Tagged With: , , , ,

True Love and Homemade Brunswick Stew

March 14, 2012 By 15 Comments

My husband Rick and I married 33 years ago. Young love was amazing, but mature love is  even better!

Every single day the man makes me laugh. I admire his perseverance. I love his free-spirited ways.

Like what happened one drizzly Sunday in February…

We went grocery shopping after church. Since I was diagnosed with Celiac, he’s been so sweet to help me eat gluten-free. Standing by the meat aisle at Publix he said, “Let’s make homemade Brunswick stew today.”

We’d never made homemade Brunswick stew. We didn’t have a recipe. No grocery list.

“Do you know how?”

“It can’t be all that hard.”

I smiled. That’s why I love him.

He tossed some pork chops in the buggy and picked out the rest of his spur-of-the-moment ingredients. All gluten-free, for me. :-)

As soon as we got home, he chopped an onion and cut the meat into tiny pieces. Then he put everything in the crock pot and cooked it all day.

I’m telling you, my husband’s Brunswick stew was incredible–the stuff true love is made of.

Here’s the recipe. Of course, he didn’t measure, so I’m guessing. I don’t think you can go wrong with these yummy ingredients:

Four boneless pork chops cut into tiny pieces

Three boneless chicken breasts cut into tiny pieces

A pound of good steak cut into tiny pieces

2-28 ounce cans pureed tomatoes

About two cups or so of chicken stock (gluten-free if necessary)

One chopped onion

A package frozen silver queen corn

About a cup of barbecue sauce (we used Kraft, gluten-free)

About 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

Salt and pepper

Texas Pete Sauce–as much or as little as you like.

While the stew simmered, I made popcorn as rain pelted on our tin roof.

Rick built a cozy fire and Thelma, our calico cat, curled up on my lap. Clyde, our yellow Lab, slept at our feet.

One of my all-time favorite Sunday afternoons!

A good marriage is like homemade Brunswick stew. Sweet, spicy, and full of love.

Anybody else make good homemade Brunswick stew? Share your recipe!

Love,

Julie

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Inspirational, Marriage Tagged With: , , ,

Are You Tired, Worn Out, Burned Out?

February 22, 2012 By 11 Comments

I am.

Tiredness came slowly, sneaking up behind me like a shadow on my heels.

I tried to outrun it. Move faster. Work harder. Accomplish more. It’s the way I’d always approached life.

I have two autoimmune illnesses–Celiac Disease and Sjogren’s Syndrome, which plays a huge part in my fatigue, I’m sure.

Finally, at 51, I’m learning to rest. Slow down. Be still and quiet. Wait on His Strength.

Taking care of Julie is new for me.

And what I’m experiencing ties in beautifully with my word theme for the year…Surrender.

Last week, my sweet stepfather Gene read me this scripture. If you’re tired, worn out, burned out , I pray this scripture will bring a slow but steady healing.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message.

‘Til next time,

Love,

Julie

Filed Under: Celiac Disease/Gluten-Free, Glimpses of God, Inspirational, The Pitfalls of Perfection, Where are You, God? Tagged With: , , ,
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