Sunday mornings at home

Sunday mornings at home

Good morning, everyone!  Welcome to Sunday mornings at home…a collection of the week’s reflections.

I began Sunday morning at home to take time to pause, breathe, reflect, and share a little of my thoughts over the past week.  

God is certainly teaching me patience lately.

The remodel hit a hiccup last week and halted for 7 days….that was hard for me.

Even harder is to have a beloved family member experiencing some health issues.

But, over-reacting to either one will not help…I must be patient and trust.

I agree with this quote from Pastor Max Lucado’s newly released book, Help is Here

“God does not want a bunch of stressed-out, worn-out, done-in, and washed-up children representing Him in the world.  He wants us to be fresher day by day and hour by hour.”

So today, I breathe deep, pray and carry on.  Because I want to give God my best!

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME – NATURE WALKS

Sunday mornings at home

One of the best ways to de-stress, especially with a house in chaos, is to walk the neighborhood with our dog, Tux.

We are just five days away from the official start of fall…that is a thought I love and nature will tell the story as always.

I like to look at everything God has created for us.  Like this mushroom.  Wouldn’t that be a fabulous print for any garment?  Just lovely.

Sunday morning at home

This little oak branch on the sidewalk reminded me the season is changing and I just smiled as I carried it home.

Many regular readers know that I grew my very big red oak in my back yard from the acorns I found at our first home.

The street we lived on was Larchmont and I call the tree The Larchmont Tree.

Sunday mornings at home

Tux Is always happy after a good walk and that makes everyone happy.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME – FALL CELEBRATIONS

Sunday morning at home

Something else that relieved stress was to finish decorating my front porch for FALL.

OK, when you walk in the door you see construction chaos, but now I can sit on my porch to escape it all.

For seasonal decorations, I have begun to order pillow covers from Amazon instead of looking for pillows.

These are the Shorping Sofa Pillowcases with white pumpkins and red poppy.

I liked them so much that I went ahead and ordered them for the front porch, but they are not waterproof…so on days it might rain, I will need to bring them in.

But, sadly, we do not get much rain here.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME – SAVORY STEW

Sunday mornings at home

One of the first gifts I received from my mother when I married was an original Betty Crocker cookbook.

For years, I made the Old-Time Beef Stew Recipe and my family all loved it.

As I so often do, as years went by, I tweaked the recipe and made it last weekend…Mr. B loves It.

I have shared a recipe with you before for this stew…but this one is different and the one I will stick to!

I think I have tweaked it to sheer perfection.

Sunday morning at home

Here is my version of Pamela’s Beef Stew.

2 1/2 pounds of  lean sirloin cut into tubes…the butcher will do this for you

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce (I like Lea & Perrins)

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 medium onion, sliced

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon of Himalayan salt (before you add vegetables, taste the broth to see if you want more salt)

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

Generous dash of all spice (can use ground cloves)

In a large pot, brown the meat in olive oil In a big soup pot, turning often. Then add 3 cups of hot water and the next 11 ingredients.

Cover and simmer for two hours.  Then add four potatoes (I use small white cut into cubes); 6 large carrots cut in bites; and one onion chopped.

Next add Petite English Peas….I use a small bag of frozen.  There have been times I have used a can of La Suer English Peas.

Simmer for another 45 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and a cup of hot broth.  Whisk it well and then stir into the whole stew for a thicker consistency.

Mr. B likes more pepper and adds his own before eating.  We both ate on this stew for two days…yummy and healthy.

SUNDAY MORNING AT HOME – THE LITTLE THINGS

Sunday Morning at home

It is these little things like walking our dog, decorating my porch, and cooking for me & my husband that can bring peaceful smiles.

They enable me to close off the chaos in the front of the house.

Of course, concern for a loved ones health is a much bigger thing…but I have hope and will hold onto it on this Sunday morning at home!

Let’s focus on one day at a time and enjoy this day to its fullest.

KEEP SMILING EVERYONE!

By Pamela Lutrell

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ANOTHER SUNRISE WHILE WALKING TUX

Sunday mornings at home

28 Comments

  1. Lovely thoughts and pictures to share with us this morning. May the prayers help with the loved one you are worried about and best wishes for that. The picture of Tux with his tongue hanging out is adorable. You are doing well with patience for all the problems with the reno. A beautiful place to sit away from the upheavel is so calming for a few moments. Have a wonderful day.

  2. Wishing you the best this morning! Maybe you and Mr. B. could get out into the country? Nature is so soothing. You know the construction will be over soon and chaos gone. I hope that your loved one’s health improves soon too!!!

  3. Good Sunday morning Pam. I will pray for your loved one. Yes it is unsettling, to say the least, when anyone in our lives is not well, but it’s in Gods hands and practicing patience is so important, as you point out. Hoping all will be okay.
    I’ll use your beef stew recipe next time. I. Notice you use some interesting spices and want to try them to “jazz” up my moms old recipe.

  4. These spices are surprisingly good in stew, Paulette. Let me know what you think. And thanks for the well wishes.

  5. I also received a Betty Crocker cookbook from my mother in college for my first apartment. I treasure it as she passed a year later. Yours looks more well worn than mine. I make no peek stew. It’s a recipe from a cookbook sold by a town group. I think those are the best kind.

  6. Happy Sunday, Pamela. Your post made me think…..and made me feel peaceful and joyful. Thank you. 🥰

  7. I love the idea of slowing down to pause and take a breath. This is something I seem to be struggling with right now. I retired this year and didn’t return to school in September the way I have for the past 23 years. I still feel like I have to be productive every minute of every day. I need to learn how to relax! I do agree that walking around my neighborhood and appreciating everything nature has to offer is so calming. It’s getting darker earlier and I was thinking of you the other evening as I was taking a walk and am now able to see into people’s houses with their lights on!
    After reading your post my plan is grab my book and head for my deck to sit and read. It’s a beautiful day in the Northeast! Thanks for the reminder to pause and enjoy! Prayers for your loved one..
    Linda S

  8. Sadness and anxiety are part of life, of course, but if you’re a worrier like I am, can make life very, very difficult. I’m working on staying present, and letting go of control. I know you struggle with this too, as I think so many women do. But every single thing you said is right and true. Here comes your virtual hug!

  9. My Betty Crocker cookbook is circa 1982. I still use it for those classic recipes and roasting instructions especially at Thanksgiving! Sundays are the perfect day to pause and reflect on my blessings. Prayers to all to ease our worries and the health of our loved ones. Thank you Pam.

  10. I completely understand, Linda. When I first came home from a shut down office during COVID, I was a little lost, because I needed the productivity constantly. As I am finally beginning to settle into working for myself, I am finally settling down on the hamster wheel a little. It took awhile for me to let go of the need to rise at 4:00 AM every day…there are still some days I do that, but it is not every day as it was. I still and always will love to see the houses with lights on!

  11. I think learning to release control is such a big part of worry. Thanks for the virtual hug…will take them all!

  12. Thank you Kathy! I am constantly counting my blessings these days! So many to count and reflect upon.

  13. Thank you for sharing what is on your mind and heart today – it can be such a powerful thing to have others also praying, which I will do as well.
    On a lighter note, I loved seeing the page from your cookbook and couldn’t help zooming in for a closer look at the fondue recipe. Fondue was a real treat growing up, something my parents did when we had their best friends over for dinner. I can’t think of fondue without hearing a background of Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass. We kids would dance ourselves silly as the grown ups lingered at the table. 😁

  14. I always love your comments, Connie! We also played Herb Albert often. I have NEVER made fondu..,but I think you have inspired me to give it a try!! Thanks for the memories.

  15. jotted down your stew recipe. It sounds delicious and a comforting bowl of soup helps heals the soul. Even if it’s just for a while. Sorry to hear that a loved one has health concerns. I pray this is resolved in a positive manner. Tux is one of the best stress busters in your arsenal. The calming steps you are taking, prayer, healthy cooking, walking, being in tune with nature and decorating what you can at home sound like a good plan to help in all that you are experiencing. Like another commenter said, virtual hugs to you my friend. Take best care.

  16. Even though it is very warm and humid here in Wisconsin right now you have inspired me to get my fall decorations out. Cool weather will be here very soon. Thanks for the stew recipe I’m going to try it.
    Have a great day.

  17. A beloved aunt gave me a Betty Crocker cookbook when I got married in 1976, & my sister gave a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Both have been well used & show the stains of that use. As a caregiver, daily prayer & scripture reading are my lifeline. Thanks for sharing your thoughts & photos.

  18. Thank you for this lovely post and the inspiring, calming thoughts. We are also in the midst of a remodel of a rental, so I am not living there, but there is still a lot of $$ going out the door and stress. Anyway, one thing I tell myself is that fast remodels might not be the best for quality. Some things have to wait for other things. Though I love the home remodeling shows on TV, they give the false sense that things can be done very quickly. (I love it when they admit to delays and go wrongs and do-overs!) Meanwhile your comforting stew is just the right thing to make. I am also going to try it. I find making soups and stews very soothing to me. May your loved one’s situation be strengthened by faith and prayers. I add mine.

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