Weekend Coffee Share.......Come Sit with Me

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later. 

If we were having coffee we'd probably talk about: 

The Weather: Definitely not as crazy as last week, just blustery, rainy spring weather. Tomorrow (Saturday) is supposed to be nice. I'm babysitting tonight and tomorrow so maybe it'll be nice enough to play outside. I am definitely ready for more consistent and warmer weather.

What we're thinking about, learning or understanding: I love that I can learn from ANYONE. Sometimes we get into a mindset that we can only learn from or listen to people who think and believe the way we do. I know I used to be like that. But then I had a mindset shift that said "everyone has something to offer me, and that doesn't mean I have to agree with them 100%". I've read books I might not have read, listened to podcasts or Ted Talks I would've passed over, followed people on social media who I would have avoided before. Unfortunately there will be people who see you read, share, watch, etc....these things and think you now agree with everything that person says or stands for. But I can't worry about that. I know my heart and my mind. 

What we're thankful for: Coffee...though I honestly don't know that it helps me be awake, but it sure tastes good. Ha! I've been just slightly under the weather this last week, I have a cough, so I haven't been sleeping great. I'm thankful for a nice hot cup of coffee to at least make me feel cozy in the mornings as I'm trying to force myself to wake up and be productive. 

What we're reading or wanting to read: I'm still plugging away at the book club book. This might have been one that would've been easier on audio. Speaking of Audio books. I'm going to do a 30 day trial for audibles because there are two books I want and I think they'll be great in audio version. "I take my coffee black" by Tyler Merritt and "I'll Be there but I'll be Wearing Sweatpants" by Amy Weatherly. I'm almost done with The Little Cafe by the Lake by Jo Tracey. 

Around the house: Our console table and the other side table have come in, we just have to make the trip down to south Portland (Oregon) to pick them up. Maybe this weekend since the weather might be agreeable. If so I'll share a photo next week. There are still some things I want to buy, but I'm trying to save up a little more money. Not to mention we had to replace our blueberry cover after the snow in February weighed the old one down and it broke. We built a new one and my FIL purchased all the materials (he was the one who built it) so I need to pay him back. 

I don't know that I'll do container gardens this year. I'd love to, but with trying to save money I'm not sure I will. 

Hopefully we'll get some dry enough days (at least a few in a row) that we can pour concrete for the porch. 

What we've listened to or watched: I am keeping up with the When Calls the Heart new season and I'm enjoying it. When it ended last season I wasn't sure I'd like the next season because, after all, she falls for the guy I didn't really like, but he's growing on me. I also listened to a couple of podcasts that were really good. The podcast is called We Can Do Hard Things, and the two interviews were with Jen Hatmaker and Tyler Merritt. I gleaned some good insight from them. 

From the kitchen: Well, yesterday I thought it might be a good idea to make a loaf of sourdough bread. So I left it out on the counter, fed it this morning and went for it. I wanted to make more of a sandwich bread loaf so I followed the recipe I've used before. However, I think I rushed it and it did NOT turn out at all. I'm so bummed...but I won't be deterred, I'll try again next weekend. Other than that...nothing new last week. There were several nights no one was really home so I didn't make dinner. I just ate leftovers. One thing I like to do when I have leftover taco soup is to make baked potatoes and serve the soup (which is a thicker soup, more like a chili consistency) over the potatoes with cheese, etc on top. 

I've been under the weather...so instead of grocery shopping tomorrow I'm going to do a grocery pickup. People would probably look at me cross eyed if I had a coughing fit in the store. I'd be embarrassed too so I'll just stay away from humans. Hoping it's better by Monday so I can work. 

Not from the kitchen, but last Saturday we went to a farmers market and then to our favorite juice/smoothie bar and got yummy bowls. 

Mine was called PB and Nice cream and it was topped with granola, strawberries, bananas and extra almond butter. So good. 

I also tried baking my bacon in the oven. That turned out pretty good. 

Favorite quote of the week: This weeks theme for #WQW was faith and hope...here is a quote from each that I found, plus the front of a cute card I saw at work. You can read my full post here. 

Favorite photo of the week: We babysat last night and all day today. It was so nice outside that we spent most of the day out playing. A few times, the kids just played on the porch and I kept the door open. 

Random thoughts: We had a really good Easter. Our daughter and son in law and kiddos couldn't come because the kids were still pretty sick. After we ate, I drove up and brought leftovers and Easter eggs to hide with Indy. That was fun. 

I love when I read things on multiple platforms, from a variety of people that seem to speak the same thing. This happened last week. For me, these are a sign for me to pay attention, that maybe it is specifically for me in that moment. One was from a post our own Leanne from Cresting the Hill shared...here's that link if you missed it. She talked about making room for forgiveness. The other thing I read that really spoke to me was through the podcast I mentioned above. One of the quotes from it was: 

"We have a certain version of what happened and it's ours which means it's not entirely right, it's the one we know, and honestly the one we've crafted a little".

That is so true in so many areas and circumstances and so important to remember. We, and others have our versions and it will not always be entirely right, or accurate because often we will see situations, relationships, etc.. differently and through our own lens and our own experiences. Our own judgements and perceptions. Maybe even what we want to be true. I think when we realize that, we can take responsibility for our part of it but also know that it isn't always all us, or all them. Which then can lead to healing, forgiveness, freedom, peace, etc

Okay, that's all I got. I'm wiped out and need sleep, though coughing is keeping me from that.

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin