Hello Friday and I wished you could have stopped by – literally – yesterday. What a beauty of a day! It is much cooler today and, apparently, winter is on its way. Hard to believe…and a bit, confusing to be honest. We did enjoy sleeping with the windows open last night, though! But guess we will get the fireplace ready for tonight (!!?!) Today’s post is my monthly Share Four Somethings – hosted by Jennifer and always a fun link-up. February has been a one for the books for me but, even at its worst, there are things to love and things to learn. So, let’s jump right in!
Something I Loved
As I said, this has been one unique month. My surgery was February 1st. Basically, the rest of the month has been healing, recovering, regaining strength and recuperating. And a whole lot of time on the couch. Amidst it all, there have been more blessings that I could take time to share. But, during the last weeks, I have loved: the texts from friends and families, the meals provided, the brownies dropped off at the porch, the flowers (and more flowers), the cards, the love from my church family, and simply the friendship expressed – not only from friends close by but those far away and even those I know simply through the internet (and this space). I am grateful for a compassionate surgeon, for kind/caring nurses at the hospital, for pain medication (yes indeed) and, yes, for insurance. And I have an even greater appreciation for so many of the little things. The simple, every day things that we can easily take for granted. No need to enumerate them here but, trust me, the simple things are very much some of our biggest blessings!!
Something I Read
You know what I have read a lot of lately? Consent forms. Truthfully. You know, the forms with 37 paragraphs that each have 37 subparagraphs underneath. So tedious. And let me just confess, often I just cannot make myself read all those pages. All the forms. And all the technical stuff. I have no idea what I have actually signed my permission to and/or granted stamp of approval on. I could argue that they should not ask for said authorization after they have already given you “the happy medicine” before surgery – but, honestly, I am guilty of glancing and signing even in the most alert of situations. Just being honest.
Something I Learned
While reading Exodus and the beginning of the plagues used by God in order to get the Israelites released from Egypt, you cannot help but notice the repetition. God says to Moses, “Go tell Aaron” and then gives detailed instructions about what to say and/or what to do. Those instructions are repeated as Moses addresses Aaron and then they are repeated (again) as Moses and his brother go before Pharoah. This happens repeatedly. Once you read the chapters a few times, you can almost recite exactly what was said (or what is going to be said). Actually, that is exactly the point. Exodus was written as history for the children of Israel. These accounts and stories were for their benefit, admonition, instruction and encouragement. And they had to be shared orally. Over and over.
Many lessons – and even words of encouragement – have been rehearsed, and re-rehearsed, to me over the last months. Spiritual truths of who God is and what He has promised can get “lost” in pain, in fear and in discouragement. God has used many people and many avenues to remind me of those things I know to be true – but that need rehearsing in my heart. Never grow tired of the repetition. Often, it is God’s gift.
Something I Ate
My brother came out (from the city) both weekends following my surgery. He is great at keeping me company. He is both a good talker and a great listener. He also makes me laugh, AND he is chief cook and yummy meal maker. We ate well. And he introduced me to avocado toast. I know, I know. Everyone eats avocado toast but I’ve never really given it a try. Avocados are a bit of a nemesis for me. The spoil so quickly – either on the counter or just after I slice them – that I feel as if I’m wasting food and tend to “avoid” them. But those avocado toast breakfasts (with the perfectly cooked egg on top) were quite tasty, I must admit. Now you see the eggs on the toast in the photo? That is NOT the perfect egg! I do not do runny eggs. But my brother cooked my eggs just right:) Do you buy avocados? If so, how do you get them to last??
Let me know in the comments….or just let me know something that you have loved this past month! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit the link-up. Have a great weekend!
Jennifer, I can’t believe winter is making another appearance! Uggg. Also, I hope when February is gone, so will be your pain and all your healing.
Now, I have NEVER tried avocado toast! And I feel the same about avocados. They are too messy to deal with, although I do enjoy them sliced and eaten with something like cilantro rice or a good Mexican dish. But to have to buy them (getting them just right – not too hard/not too mushy) is a pain and then scooping them out…a pain.
But, give me a bowl of spicy guacamole and some chips…yum!
Have a great weekend!
Oh, I have the problem with the avocados spoiling before I get to them too. I just have to try to put them in a place on the counter where I will see them and notice when they are ripe. I love guacamole, or just putting them in salads, but something a Japanese friend taught me was to top one half with sour cream (I use thick yogurt) and soy sauce. Mmm.
All the best for recovering from your surgery, and I hope none of those consent forms comes back to haunt you.
I love avocado on toast! We mash ours up with salt, lemon juice and a little chilli powder – yum! I think that the secret to not letting them overripen is to keep them in the fridge rather than in a fruit bowl. And you should never put them close to bananas as they both secrete some natural chemical that make them ripen faster apparently! I would choose the runny egg every time though.
Pleased to see that you are feeling well enough to blog frequently now!
I’m not a fan of avocado, but I must say in the picture that avocado toast looks delicious and the eggs are cooked perfect for me. I enjoyed your thoughts on Exodus and you’re right repetition is very important in learning. Hope you are healing well and I hope you have a good weekend.
I’m so glad your surgery went well, recovery is going well, and you are being loved well by family and friends, Jennifer. You are blessed! We put our avocadoes in the food processor with fresh cilantro, a little garlic salt and onion salt, and generous amounts of fresh squeezed lemon and blend, then we put the guacamole in a plastic container in the refrigerator and eat on it all week. The generous amount of lemon keeps it from turning brown. It’s delicious! And you can have avocado toast via blended avocados too.
Hi Jennifer~ It’s been such a long time since I have caught up on my commenting! I’m so glad you are recovering well from your surgery. It takes time and patience doesn’t it?! I pray for a complete and wonderful recovery for you my friend. I have to admit, I have never had, avocado toast. I know it’s tasty, but I don’t like eggs. Maybe I will just try toast with mashed avocado! When my avocados just start to get a little bit soft, I put them in the fridge. Some say not to do it, but they really do last and it doesn’t alter the taste at all. I hate throwing away and avocado that has gone bad. The weather here is so cold, and we still have at least 7-8 inches of snow on the ground. It’s suppose to be in the 30’s today, so maybe some will start to melt. Stay warm and continue to heal and get better! Hugs, Barb
Sometimes I buy frozen avocados instead of fresh ones and then just defrost what I need 😉 Less mess, less work, less waste 😉 I am glad you are doing okay and continue to pray for your healing. I hate consent forms, I agree, they always give them to you at the worst possible moment, and most people, myself included, don’t read them all. I hope that March is a much better month for you.
Those are all wonderful things to love! Glad to hear your recovery is going well and you’re being so spoiled. I actually have never tried avocado toast either… but I don’t like avocados. 🙂
Glad to hear you have been resting and allowing others to pamper you a bit. Hope in March you are back to 110%. As for eggs…I don’t do runny yolks either. Over hard, fried well…the harder and well-er the better. I love avocados, too, but hate buying them and forgetting them and throwing them away, too.
I loved spending time with my granddaughters this month and being HOME. Hope for more of the same in March.
Sending you big hugs!!
Wonderful things to love, and I really liked the insights on what you learned. The repetition is there for a reason. Glad you’re recovering well! Oh, and I do not like avocado. My husband does, but I rarely buy avocados, I just buy him the individual serving packages of guac and keep them in the freezer. The avocado toasts in your photo LOOK really good, but I still don’t think I’ll become a fan. Happy Weekend! Visiting from SFS#10
It’s so good to have you back here in blog world! I’m glad you were up to participating with us. I love this post and that you feel so grateful under all that you went through this month. I know you’re so thankful to have all of this behind you as you still recover. I love avocado toast! Ideally, mine would have a poached egg on top. I do like them runny, too, though. Honestly, I’ve taken to buying little packs of guacamole at the store and using those for everything avocado related. I don’t really eat the toast that much these days since I’m avoiding anything with gluten, but I love it when I partake. I hope you have a great day, friend!
No runny eggs for me. Yuck! I also don’t like avocados at all. But I buy them… and try to time dinners around when the usage of them correlates to when they will be ripe (the things we do for those whom we love who love avocados). Glad you’ve learned a lot of lessons in February and have felt so loved ;).
I am so glad to hear that you are recuperating well, and I trust that the surgery was successful and that you will soon be back to your “normal” routines again. But I love that you are getting a lot of love and attention from so many! That is such a blessing. As for avocado toast or avocado anything, I am not a fan of avocados in any shape or form, so I know nothing about buying them or keeping them from spoiling, etc. Just can’t quite figure them out. Now the eggs on the toast without the avocados looks pretty good, but yes, maybe a bit less runny would be better. February was a good month here, with my hubby’s 75th birthday and several different days of celebrations. It was a lot of fun. Weatherwise, here in Florida it is trying to be summer already. We need rain badly. And I’d like a bit more springtime, please and thankyou! I hope you continue to get stronger each day. Take care my friend. God bless you.