{ New bible studies from Dailygrace }

As a Christian, I have to be brutally honest, and admit that sometimes I don't feel like reading my Bible, or doing any Bible studies.  I hate even admitting this to myself, but it's the truth.  I don't think God gets upset with these kind of things, He better than anyone knows our hearts and who and what we are. 

 

He doesn't take these things as an insult, obviously I am sure He may feel disappointed, especially considering that we spend so much time on other things in life, and when it comes to the spiritual journey we often fall short.  I've often wondered why, it's not that I don't like it, or find it interesting, but for some reason reading and studying the Bible takes a lot out of me mentally.

 

I've also realized that it depends on the time of year, and summer, more specifically July and August are so off.  The heat takes all my energy and motivation, it sucks it right out of me and I am often left feeling like these two months are wasted.  

 

As the month starts winding down, the yearning for more time with God kicks in.  That's when I usually begin to look for more Christian content, more non fiction, more Bible reading and more studies.

 

One of my favorite resources for devotionals and bible studies, is The Daily Grace. I love all of their studies, I love the way they are set up, easy to understand and they keep me interested.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I've had it happen many times with other studies, where I go in and find them confusing, the questions stump me at times and frustrate me and I often end up just walking away.   I haven't had that issue with the ones from The Daily Grace.

 

Here are the three I picked up, and one was free, don't remember why, but I know I paid nothing for it. 

 

Abide -  

Discover the secret to a joyful, sustaining daily intimacy with Jesus.

Do you have a deep desire for a daily, intimate connection with Jesus? 

It’s possible. The way is summed up in one powerful word: Abide.

Abide | Growing Closer to Christ Every Day reveals that abiding in Christ is simple: enjoy, rely, and obey. However, getting there is not without opposition. Discover over the course of 4 weeks the beauty of Jesus and the profound mystery of deep intimacy that he has revealed and made available to you.

This powerful study unpacks John 15 and 1 John, gently guiding you to understand the joyful, intimate relationship that results when Christ abides in you, and you abide in Him.

When Fear Meets Faith -   Are you afraid of what others might think of you? Is it difficult for you to trust others? Do you find yourself crippled by the idea of being harmed? Life in a sinful world provides many reasons to feel afraid. From fearing the approval of man to fearing physical harm, we all experience fear in some way. Fear reminds us of our limitations and illuminates our desire for protection. But how are Christians called to deal with the reality of their fears? 

 

Stand Firm -  Have you ever wondered what it means that Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle? Do you wonder how you are supposed to fight against sin and spiritual darkness in your everyday life? 

 

I will be starting the Abide one next week, and the others probably in September depending on how long I take to get through the first one.

 

If you've done any of these or are currently working on one of them, I would love to hear from you. 

{ Cooking Thursday - Turkish Pasta }

The recipe I'm sharing today, is for a Turkish pasta that my family and I have been loving.  It is simple to make but tastes so good, and it's a nice twist on the usual Pasta dishes we're used to.

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Turkish Pasta 

Source: This Healthy Table 

Ingredients

• 1 pound Farfalle pasta
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• Optional - 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package directions. 
2. While the pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a hot pan over medium-high heat. Break the meat up with the back of a spoon. Then, add the onion powder, paprika, black pepper, curry powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Then add the onion and stir again. Cook for 10 minutes or until the meat has browned and crispy. 
3. Add the yogurt, salt, and garlic in a bowl. Stir till fully combined.
4. Add the butter to a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the paprika and if using, the Aleppo pepper and cumin. Whisk to combine and remove from the heat.
5. To assemble the dish, add some pasta to a bowl or plate, then top with some cooked meat, yogurt sauce, butter sauce, and sprinkle on parsley and tomatoes. 

{ Wordless Wednesday }

{ Tuesday - a day of crocheting and reading }

I like to take a day a week, where I set aside the usual day to day hum drums, and concentrate on the hobbies that I love.  Today, it was reading and crocheting.

 

My morning started very early, and with a cup of coffee in hand, I settled in bed with my current read.  There is something about early morning reading, while the world is still asleep, and the only noise in the background is that of birds chirping outside. 

After reading for about an hour, I moved to the living room and worked on my crochet blanket.  The dreaded blanket that has had me stumped, has had me frogging and ripping and remaking the same row after row.

 

I wanted to give it up, set it aside and forget about it, and I even debated just leaving it as is, a small round lap blanket, but I was determined that I wouldn't let a crochet project defeat me.

 

After much frustration I got past the lace part of the project and finally moved onto the next.  I would love to tell you that the next few rows were so simple and it flowed right on, but alas, I guess I have a love hate with this blanket, because I ended up having to pull apart another 2 rows and make them again.  This blanket and I are at a love hate point, it's a fight for control, and we have yet to see who the winner will be. 

After ripping two rows, I had to take a step back, and some early morning air is the best thing for clearing the head.  

So let me show you this brat of a blanket.  The Universe in Bloom by Dedri Huys at Look At What I Made.  I absolutely adore all her projects but boy does Dedri push me as a crocheter.  I guess I actually admire that in her, because I don't ever want to stall or become stagnant when it comes to crocheting.  

 

I want to learn new stitches and new ways of crocheting and she definitely brings that forth for us. 

She is beautiful and I'm quite enjoying the new color palette I have going.  Not my usual colors at all, as you may know if you've followed me for a while.  However, I wanted to try something new and step out a little.

And below the dratted lace part of the pattern that had me losing my mind.  It's not that it's difficult, but I just didn't realize that one misplaced stitch or miscounted stitch would cause so many issues.  I tried so hard to stay on track, but my brain was just not wanting to cooperate.

What matters is that after a month apart, we came together and worked it out.  So far, at least for now, we will see how the rest goes.  I am now at the stage where I'll be making some flowers, wish me luck.

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 08/17/2026 }

Good morning.  Hello everyone, welcome back to my little blog.  I hope this Monday morning finds you all well.  

 

It is another scorcher here in Texas.  I am actually going to stop talking about it, because there is nothing I can do to change it and constantly complaining is not exactly making me feel any better.  It just is what it is.

 

I had a good weekend, usual gym, church, having our girl over for dinner and family games.  Although, I always feel like when Monday morning rolls around, I haven't quite had enough weekend, if you know what I mean.

 

Right, let's get on with our post for today, let's see what is happening around our homes. 

 

God Bless,

Sandra

♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

 

*** The Weather *** 

Here, I'll just leave it and walk away defeated LOL 

*** Right now I am *** 

I just finished the row I was on in my crochet blanket, and have started the new row.  I have set it aside now so that I can sit at my desk and get this post up for you all.  

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

All the home projects that I still have to finish before my stepmom arrives in two weeks, yes, just two weeks time, I can't believe how fast the days have flown by.  

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

I am feeling good, although quite sore from the gym.  I have started doing deadlift weights and those have really upped my workout but also have left me hurting, which is a good thing.  I've been on this health journey for two years and need to change it up a bit, so this is perfect.  

 

Also feeling hot, already, at 7 in the morning. 

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I just had a cup of coffee at 4:30am when we got up, with 2% milk and a tiny splash of chobani hazelnut creamer.  I like using the creamers as just a tiny flavor enhancer, so I do milk and then literally a little splash of whatever creamer just for the taste.  Doing it this way helps curb that craving for a flavored coffee, but also keeps the fat and calories under control.  I often see people making coffee with just creamer and I don't know how they handle it, it's far too much cream and sweetness for me, but to each their own.  

 

I also had a bowl of oatmeal with some shredded coconut.

*** On the lunch plate ***

I'll be having a Tuna Tzatziki Cucumber Salad. 

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Beef Curry, Rice, Garlic Naan   

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

 

Monday -   Beef Curry, Rice, Garlic Naan 

 

Tuesday -  Baked Fish in tomato and onion sauce, Garlic Parsley Potatoes, Sauteed Kobucha Squash 

 

Wednesday -  Greek chicken and lemon rice, Roasted Brussels Sprouts

 

Thursday - Turkish Pasta, Salad

 

Friday - Turkish Gozleme

 

Saturday - Turkish Kofte with Potatoes, Chickpea Salad

 

Sunday - Slow Cooker White Beans and Sausage, Roast Veggies   

 

 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Still in my nightgown, and since today is my rest day from working out, I will throw on a cool summer dress. 

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

Still reading in 1 Samuel in the Bible.  

 

I have a few Christian non fiction review books from Thomas Nelson, arriving over the next few weeks and the first just arrived this weekend.  It is called A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving by Wendy Speake.  I am planning on starting this 30 day Devotional on September 1st.

 

Finished Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk and absolutely loved it, it is one of my favorites that I have read this year.  I am now in book one of Liz Curtis Higgs Lowlands of Scotland Trilogy.  It is a biblical retelling of Jacob and Esau.  I will say it is really slow right now and I have debated setting it aside until I am more in the mood for it.  I have a lot of new books in that I would rather be reading right now, so I may go ahead and do that.   

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

YouTube:

Homemaking 

Christian book vloggers 

Quiet and simple living 

Homemaking  

 

Turkish series:

Doganin Kanunu - just as I got into it, it has been cancelled.  Bummer.

Muhtemel Ask - loving this one right now

 

 

Netflix:

Still watching The First 48 Hours.

 

Apple TV:

For all Mankind

 

Paramount Plus:

Star Trek Strange New Worlds 

 

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

I need to do the usual carpet cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and so forth.  

 

 

*** To do list *** 

Today:

Water inside plants

Water inside plants 

Water plants and veggies outside on the patio

Daily bible reading 

 

This week: 

Daily 15k steps

Homemaking chores

Pay bills

Pain the hallway

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

I picked up the crochet blanket again and finally got past the difficult Part 5.  I have now started Part 6 and I'm finding it a little frustrating as well.  This isn't my first blanket by Dedri, but it's my first blanket by her that is pushing me to my limits and testing my patience, for sure.  Hahahah

 

Anyway, we will get it done eventually.   I will get a picture of the progress this morning and come back and add it here, for you all to see.

 

*** From the camera *** 

I just love this book read counter.  I want to climb right in there and become that girl, sitting at that gorgeous window reading.   ♥   

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

At church our message was about our role as Christians, and the role of the church as well.  It was quite interesting and one thing our Pastor said, which I have always agreed upon and believed myself, is that we need to be sharing the gospel, sharing God with everyone around us, but it is not up to us to save anyone, that is God's job and responsibility.  It is not on us.