Thoughts For Jet Lag Thursday

Just arrived home on Tuesday afternoon from a 2.5 week-trip to the States with my family – flew standby on military aircraft. This is free travel, but wildly unpredictable and logistically difficult. Jet lag is heavy upon us.

What am I cooking?

No fancy picture here, but we will be having chicken stir-fry. I love to tap into the Hoisin Sauce in my fridge drawer, and stretch a few chicken breasts with lots of veggies. We will be including a zucchini and some green beans we grew ourselves – so that is exciting.

What am I reading?

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Barbara Kingsolver. This lady got to take her family to a farmhouse and live for a year only on local produce and other fruits of the land. This is my dream.  Also, I devour books of this ilk – a la Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s  Dilemma and Wendell Berry’s The Unsettling of America. I want my children to know where there food comes from and to appreciate high-quality, nutritious ingredients.

What are my weekend plans?

Unpacking, barf.

What are my prayer intentions for the day?

For all the new attendees we had at a monthly meeting of the Catholic Women’s Group I chair at our Army chapel here in Germany. We had ladies from all walks of life and all need prayer for some sincere intentions.

What can my children do instead of watching TV?

I am not going to really stress this one too much until at least a week after being home. Thank you very much.
What is one product that is making my life a little easier?

Baby Food Mill!!!! It was the one thing I failed to pack on the trip and my 10-month old nearly starved as a result.
What am I grateful for?

My health and youth. Being in Europe.
What have I done for my marriage this week?

Woken up at 0800 (0200 for my body) to brew husband coffee and make lunch. Also, cut his hair back to military standards.
What’s challenging me lately?

The prospect of my husband taking a job that will have even more intense hours than those he already puts in.

Something that made me think?

Visiting extended family up and down the Eastern Coast made me appreciate the value of the virtue of hospitality. Furthermore, I was reminded that the size of one’s home and the measure of the inhabitants’ hospitality are not necessarily related.