Seek the silver linings

Seek the silver linings

As with all challenges, seek the silver linings.

This was a really tough week for me, but I still choose to seek the silver linings I believe exist around all difficulties.

I relaxed once I knew my family was safe in different locations, and we all moved quickly to help one another if needed. 

After 30 hours of no power, my son came to take us to his in-laws who had maintained power most of the time.  Mr. B was helping a neighbor with a medical device issue.

So I went with my son to find some warmth and Mr. B said he would be fine left behind.  Well, once I was at the new location just a few minutes, they lost power.

I had to laugh…all I could do.  The roads were dangerous and traffic lights out, so I elected to stay where I was.

The silver lining?  Spending time with three of my grandchildren.  Had a great engaging conversation with the youngest, who is four months old.

The next day I returned to Mr. B at our home and have stayed here…it is hard to improve your situation when most are in the same boat.

I confess that through a pandemic and now electrical grid failure, it’s been a challenge…but I have found silver linings, nonetheless!

SILVER LINING #1

Silver Lining #1

I do not get many opportunities to wear my winter clothing.  The moments to wear sweaters, coats, and gloves often are fleeting.

I think just this week alone, I layered on every heavy garment I owned!  So, thankful to have the few that I do.

Remember, not too long ago, I said I was only purchasing clothing I could wear all year long because we were so warm?

Might have to re-think that and pick up a few heavier pieces in the off season sales. Makes more sense now.

I am so thankful I had the clothing that I do. 

Today’s slideshow contains my contenders for possible future cold purchases….

SILVER LINING #2

Silver Lining #2

Just a few days before the shut down, I did some major cooking.  I made this Oatmeal-Blueberry-Yogurt Bake; homemade chicken soup with fresh veggies from Leigh Ann’s garden; and chili.  

Ultimately, all of these things were re-heated on the fireplace and a BBQ pit. But, it worked!  It was healthy food and easy to re-heat over a fire. 

I also had just done a major grocery shopping trip, so now we still have some food for Mr. B and I while the groceries are struggling to keep shelves full. 

This recipe was so good and easy, I thought I would share it……

OATMEAL-BLUEBERRY- YOGURT BAKE

Silver Lining #2

Ingredients:

1 cup of oats

4 Tablespoons of vanilla yogurt (I used Light n Fit Very Vanilla)

2 handfuls of frozen blueberries

1 teaspoon of baking powder

2 Tablespoons of real maple syrup

1 teaspoon of lemon zes

1 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

8 tablespoons of boiling water

Notes and process:

The lemon made such a difference.  I used organic Meyer Lemons…so good.

Cook at 400 degrees.  Put the oats in a small bowl and stir separately with the boiling water.  Let sit for 2 minutes.  Add everything else in another bowl and stir together.   Add the oats and stir.

Pour in an oven proof dish that has been treated with butter.  Let it bake 30 minutes and serve with a spoonful of yogurt on top.

SILVER LINING #3

Puffy Blanket on over 50 Feeling 40

I actually considered donating some of our blankets last summer because they had such little use.

Really glad I did not do that!  At one point, we had so many blankets on our bed that it was difficult to move underneath.  But they kept us going through nights of no heat and temps in the teens.

I still highly recommend this PUFFY BLANKET...it has been a family favorite through this winter.   This is not an affiliate link…just a recommendation.

SILVER LINING #4

Silver Lining #4

I love mornings with coffee and a fireplace and I certainly got my fill this week!

Previously, it has been a rare experience only a few times a year….this week it was a “throughout each and every day experience!”

There were times I wanted to crawl into the fireplace, but many times, I could sit with my coffee (made over the fireplace) and just reflect upon all that was going on.

SILVER LINING #5

Silver Lining #5

Believe it or not, the snow turned out to be a silver lining.  Many of us had to put food into the snow to preserve it while refrigerators had no power, some used it for water.

It was also soothing last Thursday to watch it fall all day long with beauty and solitude.  Somehow, though cold, it brought hope.

This is my daughter’s house in North Texas where they received 15 inches the first day. 

I am even smiling while I write this post, because despite it all, there were silver linings.  

Just like the pandemic, I saw so much good in people.  

Our police officers, firefighters, our churches, neighbors, families, grocery managers…so many reaching out to help others.

Individuals experiencing hardships themselves were helping others.  It is such a joy to watch people dive into difficult times to care for neighbors they may or may not know.

The future may be very difficult due to what happened to us this week….we are anticipating high energy bills and grocery increases, but I will keep my focus positive.

I am thankful today.  Remember…there is always a reason to………………………..

KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

26 Comments

  1. Pet food! i forgot to say pet food when i was making suggestions for preparedness~
    i like that you saw good, and that what you chose to remember.

  2. In NE Fla we get hurricanes. The last one even our yard flooded,never has before. So about a year ago my husband decided we needed a generator. So we are ready. So far it has kicked in on one power outage,but not for very long thankfully!.. But we are ready, have so many battery powered items in the house. BUt I do remember our days in Germany, having a party and putting things on the frozen balcony to stay fresh!We had a very small refrigerator-3’x3′. Germans at that point did not believe in big appliances and we lived off base so everything was much small than we were used to in the States. BUt we all survived-and hopefully better for it! Wishing you the best and may your power come back on soon!

  3. Letโ€™s look forward to spring. Due to these extreme temperatures, we should have a great time being outdoors soon and we wonโ€™t have to worry about the fleas and ticks!

  4. So good to know that you are making the best of the terrible situation. You are right about the food put outdoors in the cold and we have used the back deck as a cold storage in many an outage as well. Sending prayers for your whole state that there are no more losses and you stay well. I love how you were preparing such good food to use in the fireplace. Never get rid of blankets, you just never know.

  5. Pamela, I think you and your husband made the best of a bad situation. It was fortuitous that you had done some cooking before the snow hit. Good thing you kept the blankets. My mother used to say that you never knew what could happen and “you might need that someday”. I agree with Miss Judy Holmes: you handled everything with elegance and grace, and yes, humor.

  6. Thank you for sharing your positive attitude during a horrible situation. It gives us hope during times as this! Sending prayers and love to your state ๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท๐Ÿ’•๐ŸŒท

  7. We donโ€™t always have a choice in what happens to us, but we always have a choice in our response. Iโ€™m glad you were able to cope with what was a -lot- and come through healthy and safe. We live in an area with harsh winters and summer tornadoes, and have seen many times that just when I despair over adult misbehavior and entitlement, people step up in extraordinary ways. Spring is the very next season!

  8. Pamela, this is one of my favorites from you; such a combination of reality & optimism; thank you!!!

  9. Wow! I’m glad you’re able to see the positives and keep on smiling in spite of what you’ve been experiencing!

    I’m not a big fan of oatmeal, but your recipe sounds delicious. I’m going to bookmark it and give it a try. Hubby will be happy as he loves oatmeal!

  10. Oh, what a beautiful person you are! You inspire us all to look for the good in our situations & in other people. My niece said one of the things she learned was how many things she takes for granted. I think most of us are guilty of that. One of my first thoughts for you & other southern ladies was concerning socks. I see so many pictures of ladies not wearing socks, & because I live in the Midwest, that is concerning to me. So, I hope you had some warm socks to wear!

  11. Pamela, I love your positivity & joy & grace & grit! Even in the face a truly frightening situation, you made do with what you had & (like Mr.B helping your neighbour) still took the time to look out for others. You are such an inspiration & I wonder if you truly realize what a gift you are to the world.

  12. I don’t know if you will see this, but I’m catching up as I can (moving this week). This really encouraged me today. First of all, what a gorgeous poncho Pam! That shade of red is just beautiful on you, and a beautiful, clear shade in general! You have been having a really challenging experience, no doubt about it. Through challenges, it’s comforting to see how people come together to help each other where they can. This was uplifting reading. I have an overabundance of oats, as I discovered when hauling boxes over the weekend, and I’m going to make this bake. Settling in is going to take a few days, and to have this ready to reheat will be wonderful! Movers are coming tomorrow so I may miss a day or two, but I’m trying to keep up with the things you post because you have such a positive attitude even in light of challenges. I feel like I really miss out if I miss a day.

  13. Praying for you, Karen. Hang in there…moving does have silver linings despite how hard it is. Look for the joys of a new beginning! So glad to have you stop by!

  14. Youโ€™re so good at finding silver linings! A friend of mine said today that it would have been dumb to winterize equipment. The losses and price increases will probably be horrible

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