Will's 14-Year-Old Trip - Day 2 - Springbank Park

The next morning, we headed out and went to Springbank Park. My reasoning for that park was because they actually have a Thames River flowing through the park. I wanted to say I've been to the Thames River. Okay, it's not the same as the one in London, United Kingdom but it'll do for now.

While we there, we explored only a small portion of this huge park. There were plenty of Canadian geese around the park. You have to be careful because they can be possessive.

There was also this couple who were feeding chipmunks. Will was all about being able to feed those chipmunks.

We also had fun with the black squirrels around the park.

Instead of me telling you about our time in the park, the photos will give you a visual about how gorgeous this park was to the eyes.

Walking down to the Thames River

Beautiful Sights 

All the Geese - The babies were so cute.

Feeding the chipmunks

I'll be brave and walk through the geese.

Join me next time, I share more of our trip. We'll visit Storybook Gardens which is located within Springbank Park. 

Have a magical day,

Traci

You are awesome

It's a snow day. I could be doing school work, but that can be done later this weekend. LOL! So I decided to take advantage of the time by doing some writing.

When I looked at Mama Kat's writing prompts, I could have chosen several to write about this week. However, I chose to write about a time my heart melted.

After my bereavement leave from work, one of my co-workers asked me if I had a church. My family and I have been attending our church for almost 10 years, so I told her yes. She told me about her church. I put its name in the back of my mind. God was speaking to me through her, but I didn't know why.

During the Christmas season, I started to become depressed because of my mom's death and the anniversaries of various family member's death. Four family members died in December. It's a difficult month for me.

I looked up the church my co-worker told me about because there was something God wanted to find there. It was then I found Celebrate Recovery. I've been trying to figure out how to describe it until someone finally put the words into my mouth. It's a Christian-based support group. I'm finding Godly people who may not have gone through what I have gone through but are willing to support me as I maneuver myself through this season of life that I wasn't expecting to go through right now.

I've started helping in the kitchen now. Mom would have been proud of me because she loved helping people. She made hats for my students and knitted knockers for women who had breast cancer and had to have mastectomies. 

I'm giving back in a way that I enjoy. It's a blessing to me.

Wednesday was their one-year anniversary, so there were a lot of people expected to be there. I helped make a salad and then served food. One of the regulars came through,,, looked at me,,, and said, "You are awesome! I'm thankful you are here." 

I have a feeling that it was God speaking through him. You see, I had an overwhelming day on Wednesday. There was a constant stream of students in and out of my room. I had to ask someone to take over my room so I could go to the bathroom, which only happens sometimes.

It was not until the next morning that those words really sunk in. I cried joyful tears because even though I'm going through this season of life, I know God has not forsaken me. He faithfully walks along with me as I maneuver through this season of life. 

This was the most recent time that my heart melted. I'm thankful for those words, and I'm thankful God used this young man to say them to me.

Have a magical day,
Traci

Learn to pronounce

Vegan Chili in the Slowcooker

First of all, I wish I had a photo of the chili but I don't. Sorry!😔

I took the inspiration from Cookie and Kate's vegetarian chili but changed it a bit. Her recipe is for it to be cooked on the stovetop but I made mine in the slow cooker.

One of my favorite places to get canned pinto beans and black beans is from Aldi. They have a brand called Simply Nature which is organic. For some reason, a lot of brands have some weird ingredients along with the pinto beans when buying canned pinto beans. I think one of the ingredients is corn syrup. What? Why?

Anyway, I've found the Aldi brand and Trader Joe's brand just have the simplest of ingredients with the pinto beans. 

Enough about my discussion of canned pinto beans.

Recipe:

Vegan Chili in the Slowcooker

Stars of the Recipe:

• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion or 1/2 large onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can of diced tomatoes
• 2 c. vegetable broth
• 1.5 tsp. cumin
• 1.5 tsp. chili powder
• 1.5 tsp. oregano
• 1.5 tsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped (add at the end)

Steps:

1. Place the vegetables in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then place the beans and tomatoes. Pour the broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the spices over the ingredients. Stir.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Use an immersion blender to blend up some of the chili to make it thicker.
4. Top with cilantro.

Ways to eat the chili: 

1. In a bowl with your favorite toppings.

2. Over a baked potato

3. Over spaghetti to make it sort of like a Cincinnati chili

4. As nachos

Happy eating, 

Traci

Will's 14 year old trip - Our visit to Sarnia

After Our visit to Port Huron, we crossed the bridge to Ontario, Canada.

Border patrol was easy. The only thing they asked Will was "Does your dad know you are going across international borders?"

His answer was "Of course!"

Across the bridge from Port Huron was a town called Sarnia. Yes, it rhymed with Narnia.

I had found out there was a children's petting zoo there. So, we immediately went to the park where it was located. However, once we got there we discovered the zoo was not open which was a disappointment. Will would have loved petting the animals.

Instead, we played at the playground/ park. Will, in his usual manner, found a frog to play with for a while.

Before we left Sarnia, I stopped and saw Lake Huron on the Canadian side. Will didn't want to get out of the car. He was reaching his breaking point of traveling. He wanted to get to London, so he could go swimming in the hotel swimming pool.

Enjoy the photos from the park at Sarnia.

Here are the photos from Lake Huron in Sarnia.

Driving to Londo - Yes, I was traveling 100 km per hour. Okay, that is about 62 miles per hour. I just had Will take a photo of my speedometer.

At the hotel

Join me next time for our visit to Springback Park and Storybook Gardens.

Have a magical day,
Traci

Mom, What's For Dinner? - Week of January 27th

Can I be honest? I haven't been eating as well as I should be eating. So I decided to change up my diet.

Last year, I quit eating vegetarian because my blood sugar was unstable. The dietician suggested I go back to eating an omnivore diet. So I quit eating a vegetarian diet. Guess what, I've gained back the weight I had lost. After losing both my mom and sister to heart disease, I need to refocus and change up my diet once more.

So I'm going back to the mainly vegetarian diet but am allowing for seafood to be eaten when I need an extra boost of protein. My blood sugar levels are the result of having reactive hypoglycemia. Anxiety, diet, heat, overexertion, and illness can cause me to have a low blood sugar "attack." Also not eating at regular intervals can cause me to have an attack.

What does that "attack" look like? Basically, I'm tired, easily angered, and shaky. I also develop a headache or migraine. Sometimes food helps me. Other times I need to rest and make sure I have eaten the proper foods. Does it hinder me? Not really, I just need to make sure I'm eating on a regular schedule. I'm not to allow myself to go more than 6 hours between eating. 

Yesterday, I had a mini attack. I had eaten some egg bake but it wasn't enough to hold me to lunch. I should have eaten something more during the morning but was so busy that it didn't happen. Plus I was grossed out because one of my students came in complaining about her stomach hurting. (Don't worry I Lyesoled my room after she left.) I know better than to allow that to happen.

Now that I'm done discussing my diet, I'm going to share my menu for the week:

Saturday - Happy Chinese New Year! - Orange chicken/ "chicken" with garlic ginger stir-fried veggies and rice

Sunday - Up in the air 

Monday - Spaghetti for the family and Mushroom and Spinach Pasta with Ricotta, Garlic bread

Tuesday - Chili for the family and Vegetarian chili for me  (YUM!)

Wednesday - Leftovers 

Thursday - Grilled cheese with tomato soup, swamp soup for myself

Friday - Day off of cooking - Leftovers or You are on Your Own!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Gratitude Journal

I have heard that it is good to have a gratitude journal. You write down what you are thankful for on any given day. I've toyed with the idea for a long time but have never got around to doing it.

Then I remembered this journal I bought on what would have been my sister's 42nd birthday. Both she and my mom loved cats. They used to feed the feral cats at their apartment.

After her death, she would manifest herself as a Monarch butterfly. I saw Monarchs up to the first Thanksgiving after her death.

In January of 2017, I decided I needed either jewelry or a tattoo of a Monarch so I could keep her memory alive. On what would have been my father's birthday, I got my first, and for right now, only tattoo. The tattoo is of a Monarch butterfly.

I've carried this journal around since September. I didn't know what I wanted to use it for. Now I know.

So what is a gratitude journal? Simply put, it's a journal that lists what you are thankful for each day. I think I'm going to also write down if I did some self-care either spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Doing this will let me know if I'm really taking care of myself.

After losing my sister and mom to heart disease, I need to make sure I'm taking care of myself. 

Wish me luck,
Traci