comfort...southern made...

This is a very special recipe for chili. Shared by Rick Light, father of Josh Light...talented young dobro player. The Light family was..."a feel good family"...always a joy to be with. Josh had quiet an ear for music. I expected great things from him. He was taken too soon. Leukemia...Fall of 2009. At least 30 musicians came together to pay tribute at his service...I know he was welcomed into Heaven.
This is the only chili recipe I use. I know you will enjoy it as well. It's different than any chili you've had, I'm sure.

(If you click on the recipe, it'll pull it up close to a larger view so you can see, or print)

create...

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others...

I feel like I've lost the audience, how can I blame you...I haven't been here for visits, I've been empty.

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I wanna feel good, lose weight, feel younger again. I wanna homeschool, be in love with my life, sit in my pj's most of the day, stitch, and create jewelry. I want to have good hair, like victoria Beckam, no wait, I wanna look like her too. I wanna put together store displays of designer clothing, strange, weird kinda dream I've always had. I wanna take a road trip, a long one. I wanna return to Jamaica, I wanna sell the house, build a house. I wanna hear from all of you who bring me joy with your messages. I wanna have words again, words to share with you...

edited to add...I wish to take a mission trip, to help others more, and want less for me.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Think Spring here

Dunns River Falls (above)

Blue Lagoon(above

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining, in love when I don't feel it, in humanity when we don't deserve it, and God even when He is silent.

A person who lives in Faith must proceed on incomplete evidence, trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.

choosing and believing...

re·new   /rɪˈnu, -ˈnyu/
[ri-noo, -nyoo]

1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
2. to make effective for an additional period: to renew a lease.
3. to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.
4. to make, say, or do again.
5. to revive; reestablish.
6. to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
7. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

My word for twenty eleven...Renew. It's not easy choosing a word to carry and build on through the year. Build, and strength, were two words that I studied on...these are two things I really need in my life.
Last year brought many changes, most, not so good. I desperately need to renew...my strength, build...my faith and trust once again. I chose Renew, for the exact meanings I've shared above.

There are relationships that need to be renewed, also, my faith, my trust...I need to replenish my soul, search my heart for the words to share with you, my friends in Christ.
Once you suffer a tragedy, close your heart, it seems impossible to open it again. I sit here searching for words to share, nothing...

I have suffered obsessive compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and nearly shut myself off from any shred of happiness. I've talked with God, specifically, listening, hoping...I must chose to come out of the darkness...open my heart, renew my life...

My wish for each of you, is a year of laughter, renewal, strength...may doors open for you, and may you be feel His presence in your life each and every day.
Much love...