Orange You Glad I Didn't Say, "BANANA?!?!"

Bananas are a favorite snack around here, but when the new ones come in and the old ones that didn't make it to our bellies look like this

Ewww!!  No one will eat them and banana bread or muffins are always great.  But, I have been keeping these peeled in a bag in the freezer for this day!!  A day I have planned for months but one of those "one day I will make this" kind of a day finally rolled around. 


I gathered my supplies.

I froze the yogurt in ice trays last night....

and thawed it in the sink in a little hot water for a few seconds to make the cubes easier to remove.

And put the fruit in a bowl

Then I put a little of each in a freezer bag.

And in less than 15 minutes, I had 14 frozen packets for fruit smoothies!

The girls can grab a packet and throw a little juice or milk with a scoop of protein if they wish, into the blender and have a healthy and yummy breakfast or snack!!  Wonderful!!  And I feel like I accomplished something great today!!

What do you make with yucky bananas?

Cross Thoughts

This past Easter season I spent much time thinking about the cross...specifically of Jesus the man, his brutal crucifixion and glorious resurrection. It was something I focused and studied purposely for 8 days during that time. We were not raised with the lenten traditions, and growing up I focused mostly on bunnies (& candy!!), but the cross has held a far more intimate meaning for me these past few years. 

I don't subscribe to any particular denomination.  For me, all religions are man-made institutions and I'm not a fan of labels.   I am a daughter of the Most High King, follower of Jesus Christ's teachings, a Bible believer, and a seeker of truth.  I am blessed to have been raised with a Christian foundation.  This has been my source of refuge, faith, healing, strength and freedom.

Jesus says in John 10:10 of my Amplified Christian Bible:

¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it ^[a]overflows)."  

It is said this way in the Message, "A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."

I am living in this place of gratitude.  More and better than I ever dreamed of!  And truly, ALL because of Jesus.  I am humbled.  I am grateful.  I am satisfied.    

On the Friday before Easter Sunday (Good Friday), I came out of the commissary on a quick stop for a few last minute weekend items to see this in the sky...

And I suppose this has been the inspiration for the crosses I am finding myself spending so much time making. 

A dear friend once told me that he felt the icon of a cross was such a vile representation of torturous and murderous injustice.  (my interpretation and paraphrase of his words)  I agreed then and I do now.  There were many, many people historically killed in this manner and that is awful and terrible and horrible. But the meaning of a cross for me has become "the" cross, and has since evolved into a two-fold thing of beauty. Because when I look, I can see the injustice and hatred and more misery than I could ever imagine and I want to turn away and not look...but then, I also see that my savior endured all of that pain out of incredible love for me, and most definitely, out of that same exact love for you! I can look and remember his sacrifice for my freedom, in much the way I can look at a memorial of a fallen United States soldier.  And I am grateful and humbled again. Just had to share.  

Much love,

Stef