Trip to the U.P.

Inspiration

Fr. John Thomas, also known as papi48 on WW Connect, writes an inspiring homily on Sunday.  Each week I read it on my way to Mass.  It touches my heart when I realize at church how much more I pay attention to the readings.

This past week when I read the homily, I knew immediately that it needed to be a part of the book I am writing, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart."

Thankfully, when I asked him for permission, he agreed.

Chicken Butternut Stew

Dinner tonight was delicious. Leftovers are my favorite starting point for creating a new recipe.

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed (0)
2 cups cooked butternut squash (0)
1 can Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup (5)
1 can Pinto beans (0)
1 cup zucchini, chopped (0)
1/2 cup celery, chopped (0)
1/2 cup carrots, chopped (0)
Half a yellow onion, chopped (0)

In a slow cooker, mash squash, mix in condensed soup. Saute chopped vegetables in Pam sprayed pan. Salt, pepper, lots of sage.

Add chicken, vegetables and beans to squash mixture.

Cook on low 2-3 hours.

3 large servings - 2 Freestyle Points each

Sunrises in Michigan

I don't go over the Zilwaukee bridge. When it was built there was a dip in it. Nope. Not going.

But this morning, on our way to the SportsZone, the sunrise and the bridge made a beautiful pairing that we couldn't resist. Don't worry, I still did my six miles on the bike afterwards.

Wednesday's sunrise was all about the clouds on our way home from a night in Traverse City.

Fall 2018

2018 Fall Art and Environment

St. Dominic's

SS Peter and Paul Site

Saginaw, Michigan

Halloween Costumes

Favorite time of the year. This one was fun with all four of the kids. We had a great time.

Had to order the face mask. Perfect for the Fortnight character.

Javier spray painting his costume.

A new super hero. Ayva says her super powers are being able to tell if someone is good or evil.

She had to help Nana sew her costume, tear out stupid mistakes and resew her costume.

Romeo liked moving all around making it impossible to cut the ghost costume!

Tino wanted to be a red ghost. He started scaring Grandma Caroline and got scared! He was okay once we cut out the eyes and he could see.

Smoothie Changeup

So, even though WW makes you count points if you drink your fruit, I've decided to try adding a smoothie for breakfast.  I'll take the hit for 1/2 the points.  So a large glass of smoothie for 4 pts.

1/4 cup carrots
1 small apple
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 Lime
1/2 cup orange juice
2 stalks celery
1 Tbs Ginger
3/4 scoop Vega Vanilla flavor protein powder

It was delicious.  I'll see how this works for breakfast every other day or so.