5 Friday Favorites: September 18, 2020

On Fridays I link up with alittlebitofeverythingblog.com and momfessionals.com to share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote or Bible verse, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hi, Friends! Happy Weekend. I miss my older boys something fierce right now, so I had to try really hard to find some joy in little things this week to keep me from jumping in the car and ending up in State College or Knoxville, where I would proceed to drink cheap beer and yell at the Celtics with a bunch of college boys. 

Ahem. I stayed here. I had a respectable glass of Chardonnay last night and also yelled at the Celtics. It was fine. I'm just going to need SOMEONE TO GET A REBOUND and also less turnovers in Game 3. Thank you for your attention to this matter, Professional Basketball Players of Boston.

Here are some things that were more joyous than blowing a 17 point lead. 

1. Bali Sunrise Candle by Opal House

This candle from Target smells like the Capri Blue Volcano candle and costs only $10.00. You're welcome.

2. Clinging Cross

Years ago my mom sent me this handheld wooden cross that fit perfectly into my palm. Since I'm finding it really hard to find any shred of truth out there in the world to hold on to, I've found myself reaching for this cross many times lately whether I'm reading a morning devotional or even just checking on emails. It's comforting for me. I found a similar one here and think this might make a great gift for someone whose hand you haven't been able to hold lately because of the lockdown. Or maybe, you might need to give a gift to yourself as a reminder that our only true hope is Jesus. Keep clinging to Him.

3. Trader Joe's Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken

First of all, I want to point out that I am not in favor of the name of this chicken. Did they survey a bunch of high school boys to come up with that? Do better, Trader Joe's. Despite the unfortunate label, this chicken is absolutely delicious and the easiest thing in the world to make. My people loved it, even if the 15 year old snickered at the name. 

4. This Podcast On Mental Performance in Sports

This episode of the Keep the Kettle Hot Podcast from the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod College League is so interesting and informative. I highly recommend it for players, coaches, and parents of any sport, but especially baseball. The best podcast host I know, Joe Skinner, and his co-host, Ryan, interview Dr. Alan Goldberg in Episode 18. They discuss having a strong mental approach in sports, breaking out of slumps, and if "clutch" is a real thing. Totally worth a listen. You can find it on Itunes or Spotify. And did I mention the best podcast host of all time? 

5. Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker

I've read most of Jen Hatmaker's books and I think she is a great writer and wickedly funny. I am only halfway through her newest book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire, and I have to say that I'm having a hard time getting into some of it. I honestly think that is more a reflection of my head space right now than the content. The reason this is a favorite this week is simply because of Chapter 3 of the book which is titled "I am Strong in my Body". I honestly do not know a single woman who hasn't had body image issues in her life. If you are someone who doesn't, you are my hero. There has not been a year of my life since I was about twelve that I didn't have some measure of body hatred. Many years were better than others, but I'm not sure I'll ever fully heal that part of my brain that tells me my body is not as it should be. All that to say, I wept buckets reading these words:

"I've been so mean to my body, outright hateful. . . No matter what she accomplishes, I'm never happy with her. I've barely acknowledged her role in every precious experience of my life. I look at her with contempt. And yet every morning, no matter how terrible I have been to her, she gets us out of bed, nurtures the family, meets the needs of the day. She tells me when I am hungry or tired and sends special red-alert signals when I am overwhelmed or scared. . . She has cooked ten thousand meals. She prays without being told to; sometimes I realize she is whispering to God for us. She walks and cooks and lifts and hugs and types and drives and cleans and holds babies and rests and laughs and does everything in her power to live another meaningful, connected day on this earth. She sure does love me and my life and my family. Maybe it is time to stop hating her and just love her back." (excerpts from pages 53-54)

Have a great weekend, Friends. Be kind to yourself. :-)

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