Proverbs 31: 15

she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls

The above photo is a look into my command center for food provisions.

Here is what it all is:

1. Breakfast/lunch picture menu for the kids

2. Weekly dinner menu planned from Our Family Meals cookbook

3. Nightly requirements for dinner menu recipes so remember what meat to thaw

4. Pen cup

5. Is there any bad place for a monogram, now really?

6. Running grocery list

Next, bring on the servant girls! Okay, so maybe not within my budget.

In the mean time, I thought I’d start making my husband’s lunch for work. Here are some of the provisions for my “worker”. The entire bottom portion of the kitchen freezer is dedicated to Pete’s meals.

I labeled leftover servings of dinner meals with masking tape. You may have a better memory than I, but I strongly recommend labeling, (even if its just Sharpie on the container.)

Otherwise, you will spend way too much time wondering what the mystery meat is/was/suppose to be, and just sit on the ground in front of the freezer trying to sniff a frozen chunk of something with red sauce long enough to see the leftover Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies behind the 1/2 bag of corn niblets.

Not that I’ve experienced this.

Love,

Jess

Proverbs 31: 15
She gets up while it is still dark;

Some folks are naturally night owls, while others arise cheerily with the dawn. My energy peeks around mid-morning. Getting up while it’s still dark does not “do it” for everyone. How about you? When is your prime time?

I need sleep. My goodness, if I was up for the day at 4:55 a.m. I’d be ready for bed by 4:55 p.m. For real, passed out by dinner. So, during this time of baby raising and 5 a.m. feedings (if not 4:30 a.m.) I’m choosing to sleep.

I may not see the sunrise. But, I do see the point of this verse.

Be ready to serve, reflect, prepare or whatever it is that is needed to get your daily priorities straight…at anytime. Let nothing come between you and your purpose.

It is my priority to sleep until daybreak, or rather, go back to sleep after I have already been up feeding babies in the dark. (Which, among other things is my purpose these days.)

Until, another time Dark, until another time.

Love,

Jess

…she provides food for her family…

I picked up an old fashioned photo album from the thrift store today. Remember when people used to have real photos? Now its like, “here look at my phone, here is my daughters dance recital.” In other words, the thrift store was full of photo albums.

Of course the album’s cover design was a delightful modern bouquet of faded 1990’s pastel glory. So, I had to get crafty with it. Isn’t that the point of getting a thrifty score?

It went a little something like this

Our Family Meals. 31 meals collected just for us. I am hoping this “family cookbook” will simplify my process in providing food for my family.

Love,

Jess

This post was linked up with Somewhat Simple

Proverbs 31:15

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

Just checking in to say I’m busy working on verse 15.

I came up with a recipe file of 31 family meals.

I started feeding the babies baby mush cereal. Leah likes it the best.

I made a portion of {birthday} food for my worker.

I am giving myself a lot of homework for this verse so I’ll be writing on it for a while. (or until a different verse catches my attention more )

Coming Up: Menu planning, freezer inventory, shopping list, coupons, recipes

Love,

Jess

In honor of my husband’s special day, I enlisted the help of some folks to tell Pete how great he is. (Which happens to tie in nicely with my  Proverbs 31 hands on learning  series.)

Proverbs 31:23

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Okay here it goes…

First, I admire how generous Pete is with his time – everyone comes to Pete with computer questions eventually, and he always has time to help. Second, after attending Bible Study with Pete I have come to respect his unique and well thought-out insights as well as his desire to learn and grow. Pete is a faithful friend.

-Jay (Bible Study Leader)

I have friends who are smarter than me, and brotha, you’re one of them. You are a valuable friend for your insights.  Thanks Pete!

-Jeremy (Friend)

Pete is a pretty special guy in my book. Not only has he been one of the best employees I’ve ever had the honor to have work for me, but I also consider him a good friend.

He’s one of the smartest guys I know, and I think he could pretty much figure out almost any problem he puts his mind to. He has a way of seeing things before others do that is particularly impressive. I know he doesn’t give himself credit for how bright he actually is, but he really is an extraordinary person.

I feel blessed to know him, work with him, and call him my friend.

-Erich (Employer)

It’s hard to believe that when we first met Peter was just 18 years old. We were so blessed when just a few years later he met with us privately to tell us he was going to ask Jessica to marry him. We could never have asked for a better son-in-law.

He is industrious, energetic and loving. He is a godly husband and father who has made such a difference in our daughter’s and in our lives. We wish him a very happy 30th birthday and we hope many more. May God continue to bless him always.

-Dennis and Lucy (The Inlaws)

The thing that has stood out most, in my relatively short time in knowing Pete, is his ability to be slow to react, quick to stay cool, and his ability to view situations or people in a positive light.  There have been many times that I have been quick to judge something and Pete presented his view and completely changed my outlook on it.  He certainly seems wise in that way.

-Josh (Co-Worker)

I agree with all the statements above and then some! I am so proud to have a guy like Pete. {happy birthday, you elder, you!}

Love,

Jess

Shamrock ribbon in a jar

Sideboard cleaned up for March

During my last thrifting trip I picked up a framed shadow box with a silver clip inside. I think it was for a wedding photo or something. I added in a shamrock ceramic ornament.

I propped a vintage St. Pats postcard up on a black scalloped pedestal candle holder.

Erin GoBraugh (Ireland Forever)! Anyone else have a black speaker to decorate above the TV?

May joy and peace surround you

Contentment latch your doors

And happiness be with you now

And bless you evermore

Love,

Jess

Here are some cool St. Patrick’s Day links

This post is linked up with

Proverbs 31:21

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Hats, boots, mittens, snowpants….check

This Proverbs 31 “studying” is becoming very fun!

Love,

Jess

Age Snapshot:

Claire likes to giggle at Daddy’s “So Big” game, suck her thumb and twirl her hair.

Leah likes to watch the ceiling fan, snuggle with her taggie and suck her whole hand.

I love to stare into all those big eyes and smooch all those big cheeks! I am so blessed.

Love,

Jess

Onto the task before me…try to learn about the wisdom found in Proverbs 31, hands on.

Proverbs 31:14

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

photo credit: anthropologie

Like merchant ships she brings food from a far – basically grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping with 4 kids 5 and under!? Not. going. to. happen. Can you even image the scene? Cart wheels squeaking, breast milk leaking, children fighting, babies crying. Even on a good day, where would I put the food?

Enter online shopping

I am fortunate to have a local service in my community that provides pick-up or delivery service. The small fee I pay for having someone else shop the aisles for me and bring the food to my house, is worth every penny.

Shopping online provides the opportunity to watch my finances. I can easily “put back” items that have put my budget over. I can also stick to my list a lot better when I don’t have the chance to roam to the “other side” of Target. You know what I am talking about…holiday decor, clothes, clearance end caps and toys.

Add extra help

Even the thought of taking all the little ones (in this freezing weather) on a small trip to restock fresh foods or small items can really wear me down. I try to ask for help whenever I need some assistance. I love my friends and family!

The wisdom

Being wise is knowing when to push yourself and knowing when to set your limits. I set my sails to gather food, I just require a crew to help me navigate the way home.

Love,

Jess

I’ll be back with more grocery and meal planning adventures.

Check out my new and improved Welcome to Just a Blink page, formerly known as About Us. Click the Welcome to Just a Blink button in the navigation bar.

Composing a clear vision for Just a Blink was a treat and a challenge to write. I hope my new sense of direction will unify my posts and create a much homier blog home.

Over the next few months I intend to give Just a Blink a touch of a make over. I am working on getting the cake baked and I’ll turn it over to the skilled designers for the icing. I can’t wait! I am hoping to have the whole blog ship shape for my 2 year blogging anniversary coming up in May.

Thanks,

Jess