Great Things in '18 - November

Welcome back to our challenge of being intentional all of 2018.  I have been looking forward to this one.  It is one of my favorites.  Here's a reminder of our focus areas



And here is our inspiration verse for the month.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

So here is the thing, I love giving gifts but I love giving gifts anonymously best of all.  But here is also the thing, be smart.  DO NOT freak out the recipient.  I repeat DO NOT freak out the recipient.  I really don't want to turn on the local news and there be a Breaking News - several mystery boxes have popped up on doorsteps around the city.  Police are detonating them when alerted.  If you receive a mystery box please call the authorities immediately........uggh no, this is NOT what we are going for.  So just make sure however you deliver whatever you are giving it is done in a way that they know it is from a safe source.....please don't leave some weird note that leaves their husband thinking they have some creepy secret admirer.....that is not what we are going for either.  So just think it through.

Enjoy surprising someone!  I am so excited for this one!  Even if you are just joining what a great time to do something good for someone.....remember do it your way....but be smart about it.

Thanks again for participating.

Great Things in '18 - September Edition

Only four more months of our Great Things in '18 Challenge.  It is never too late to join in if you are just getting started.  If you missed a few months along the way, don't worry about it.  Just finish strong.

Here's a reminder of our focus areas for the year



So remember, all we are doing is being intentional this year.  Getting some things done......showing some love.  This month we are focusing on a college student.  It is a great time to give some encouragement to a college student.  They just got back in school.  They are getting into the swing of things.  They have their first grades of the semester.....they could probably use a little encouragement.

So you choose a student you know, send them a gift card, a homemade care package, some good old cash, cookies, or whatever you think they will enjoy.  You pick how you want to recognize the college student and then just do it!

Here is our inspiration verse for this month

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15


So go be intentional and some college student is going to thank you!!!

I will meet you back here on Friday!

Back to School Meal - Part 2

I shared one of my favorite, go to recipes with you last Monday.  If you missed it, click here.

Today, I am sharing another one of our favorites.  I think everyone I know makes this one.  Anytime I mention it people usually say "oh yes, we make that too but I had forgotten all about it".  Well for some of you perhaps an introduction to others of you just a reminder

Poppy seed Chicken

Here's how I do it

I cook 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast in a crock pot for 6-7 hours.  Once the chicken is cooked, I shred it or chop it.....just depends on the mood I am in. The goal is to have approximately 2 cups of cooked chicken.

Mix sour cream, cream of chicken, add cooked chicken and place in a casserole dish.  Crunch up Ritz crackers on top and drizzle with butter, sprinkle on poppy seeds.  Cook in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.  Serve over warm rice.

If you want to prepare for the freezer, do all the above steps except don't bake it.  Just freeze it after you assemble it.  When you are ready to cook it, allow it to thaw in refrigerator and then bake.

To send to college I bundle it with a pouch of microwave rice.  I write the preparation directions directly on the pan so she never has to wonder about how to make it work.

Here's the full recipe
Poppy seed Chicken
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
8 oz. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tsp. poppy seeds

Cook chicken (either in crock pot on low for 6-7 hours or boil in a pot with water for 20-30 minutes until done)
Shred or chop cooked chicken
Mix sour cream, cream of chicken and cooked chicken.
Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray
Spread mixture in casserole dish
Crush the Ritz crackers and sprinkle on top
Drizzle with melted butter
sprinkle with poppy seeds

Freeze at this step for a later meal or bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes until bubbly for a right now meal.  Serve over warm rice.

This goes together so quickly and is absolutely delicious. If you have never tried it....you should.  If you have tried it....go for it again!

Oh and don't forget we are in our last week of August so don't forget to complete your Great Things in '18 challenge for the month.....read the details by clicking here.

I hope you have the best week!!!!

See you back here on Wednesday.

Great Things in '18 - August Edition

Girls, we are in month 8 of being intentional and rocking it out at doing some good things this year.  I hear a couple of you.....so what you haven't done every single month, so what you totally meant to but didn't get it done.  Around here we are about what we did accomplish and not about what we didn't.  Whether you've done one month or all 7......Good Job!  Or maybe you are starting here with the August focus and I say Welcome!!!

This is the perfect month to start because we all know someone who fits this month's focus.

For August we are focusing on honoring and recognizing a single lady.  It is just fun to surprise someone, do something special for them, let them know they matter.  You can choose any single in your life, young or old, widowed or never married, single mom or single with no children.......Remember your choice, your way. Send them flowers, a spa package, chocolates, dinner gift cards or whatever you think will make them feel special

Here is our inspiration verse for this month
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12-14




I hope you enjoy making someone's day this month.  I will give you a few reminders as we move through the month, but it is up to you when and how you execute this month's challenge.

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for doing Great Things in '18!!!

Great Things in '18 - July

I hope you are enjoying being intentional and honoring special people as we go through the year.  If you are just joining us, feel free to just jump right in and join us this month.

Here is our full schedule



So this month we get to honor a church member.  You know that person at church who you can always count on, they smile, they serve, they deserve a little recognition.  Remember how you honor them is up to you.  You can send a nice note, flowers, a gift card, a basket of goodies......whatever you think they would enjoy.

Here is our inspiration verse for the month

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Think about church members, secretaries, Sunday School teachers, choir directors, musicians......anyone in the church who deserves a little thank you.

I am loving recognizing people this year.  I hope you are too and doesn't it feel good not just letting the year pass by with all of our good intentions going by the wayside. That's right, 2018, we are focusesd and intentional.

Talk to you on Friday! And be ready, the Nordstrom sale will be live and we will be in full force!

Great Things in '18 Challenge - June

It is time for us to be intentional in June, girls.  Remember here are our goals for the year


Don't you worry a bit if you haven't hit every month.  This is all about everyone doing what they can.....no judgment.  Perhaps you are just joining us and that is quite all right too.  In the way of a brief explanation, we are simply focusing on honoring or recognizing someone special each month.  This month our focus is a Community Leader.  So just think who is doing good things in your community......Perhaps a school board member, a librarian, an emergency responder, maybe it is your HOA president or someone you know who volunteers to help your community in someway.  Whoever it is, choose some fun way to let them know that you appreciate what they do and how they serve.

Here is our inspiration verse

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

We are all in this together.  We need each other.  You have all month to show someone that they are appreciated and their efforts are seen and felt.

I hope you have a great Monday......make it a great week!

Talk to you on Wednesday!

Great Things in '18 Challenge - May Edition

I hope you are enjoying challenging yourself to being intentional this year.  As a reminder or if you are just joining us, we are focusing on completing one particular task each month.  The beauty is, you do it your way.....whatever works for you. Here is our year long schedule



So this month it is all about a teacher.  Now don't worry if your kids are older and you don't have that sweet little homeroom teacher to shower gifts on.  Trust me, all you have to do is think creatively and there is someone teaching something in your life.  Think a relative who has joined the teacher ranks, a Sunday School or Small Group teacher, someone who is homeschooling their kids, or just a teacher who you know is putting in the work whether it is your own child's teacher or not.

Here is our inspiration verse: Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. Proverbs 9:9

I love teachers and I have a list of them that I have to narrow down for this challenge.  Now you think May is tough for you......be a teacher.  The kids are starting to mentally check out.  There's all that last minute grading to get done and many of them are starting summer jobs to add to the old educator income.  If anyone needs a good dose of encouragement in May, I think it is a teacher.

So choose your way - a fun gift card for an outing or a meal, a lovely delivery of flowers or a fun summer gift pack with a new beach towel a good book, a great sunscreen and a new water bottle. 

I hope you are enjoying having one focus for each month.  I am loving not scattering my attention to half doing several things, but doing one thing really well.

Go forward and conquer this month and honor a teacher of your choice.

Talk to you on Friday

Great Things in '18 Challenge - April

Welcome to our April edition of the Great Things in '18 Challenge.  If you are just joining us read the original post here.



This month we are focusing on reconnecting with a friend. Now before we go any further, let's have some real talk.  Ok, I want you to take a look at this pair of shoes.

When I bought these shoes several years ago I thought they were just so cute.  Nice neutral color that could go with absolutely anything.  Not too high of a heel but enough to look trendy and current.  I thought they would be good with shorter skirts and even maxi dresses.  I thought they would go nicely to even dress up a pair of jeans.  What could go wrong?  They KILL my feet.  I know they look innocent enough but they are brutal to wear.  So here is the thing - I never throw them away.  I moved them from the "frequently worn section" of my closet to the "in case of an emergency" section.  But every now and then I would talk myself into giving them another chance and I would have immediate regret as soon as I got away from the house.  Now here is why I share that with you - we are talking about reconnecting with someone.  BUT let's be real, there are some people that we purposefully moved out of our frequent section.  There are some people who seem innocent enough, but are just not good for us.  There are some people that when we sit and think about it there is a very good reason we are not currently connected.

All of that to say Proceed With Caution.  Don't go friending someone, following someone or reaching out to someone that you had to kick off your social media.  Don't go digging up someone who doesn't feed your best self and bring positivity to your life. Look, you know you and you know them so all I am saying is choose wisely, dear friends.

Now back to the challenge.  Here is our inspiration verse:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds... Hebrews 10:24

So you know the drill.  Reach out to someone who you haven't connected with in a while.  And do that by any means you feel is appropriate....send a card, write a letter, give them a call....whatever works for you.

I hope you are enjoying being intentional in 2018.  Thanks for joining me in this fun challenge.

Talk to you on Friday!!!

Great Thing in '18 - March

If you are just joining us, no worries.  March is the perfect time to start.  We are trying to be intentional and have a real focus each month.  The original post explaining it all is here.



So this month we are focusing on a Service Provider.  You have lots of options here, girls.  Just think of anyone who provides a service to you: hairdresser, mail carrier, chiropractor, favorite Kroger clerk, housekeeping at work, bus driver, dental hygienist......who is it that always serves you with a smile OR without a smile........maybe that person who is never smiling could use a little pick me up.

Here is our inspiration verse for this month:
A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Remember you honor this person however you choose....send flowers, a nice note, buy a gift or gift card.....it's your choice. And you have the whole month of March to complete this challenge.  

I am loving this!  I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.  And hey if you are just getting started with this challenge.....welcome, I think you are going to love it.

Have a great week!

Great Things in '18 - February

Today we continue our challenge for the year.  If you are just joining us or need a refresher see the original post here.



This month we will acknowledge a friend.  Our inspiration verse is

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

So not neccessarily your best friend, closest friend or any particular friend.  Just someone who is indeed a good friend to you.  Remember it is up to how you want to acknowledge her.  Send flowers, a dinner gift card, a manicure or just a nice card or note expressing your appreciation of her.  Also remember you have the whole month of February to complete this.  Oh and you could do something special for her on Valentine's Day that would be nice.  But it also fun to get a nice surprise or a random Tuesday.

Your call, girls.  Think of your friend and what would make her smile.  I will remind you again before the month is over.

I am loving the opportunity to do some fun stuff for some great people this year....hope you are too.

Talk to you on Friday!

Great Things in '18

Ok, so don't be totally misled by the title of this post.  This may not be "great" things but I needed great to rhyme with eight. So just go with me here.  These may be fun things, good things, or even encouraging things.....but who knows in the end they may be great.  Last May we did the Everyday in May challenge where we tried to do something very intentional each day.  Some of you found that overwhelming.  So this year I thought we would try doing one very intentional thing each month......aahhhh does that feel more doable, less stressful to you?  So here is the plan.  As I talked about on Wednesday my word for the year is intentional, so I thought each month I would do something special for someone.  Below is our schedule for the year should you choose to join in with me....and I hope you will.

Each month we will do something for a person who fits in the month's designated category.  Of course, the idea is to just do something for someone so let's say you don't have anyone in particular that fits the category.....well just pick someone of your choice.  We don't want to be legalistic about this.  I hope it will be motivating, inspiring and fulfilling to you to share something special with someone of your choice.

So January's category is mentor. So this doesn't have to be an official mentor but just someone you admire, who encourages or inspires you.  Someone who gives you trusted advice or maybe that someone who you can't wait to share good news with when you receive it.

Here's our inspiration verse

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

Who is that in your life?  Well do something special for her.  You can simply send her a card and write her a nice note inside.  Send flowers. Buy her lunch.  Or just give her a phone call and express your appreciation of her in  your life.  You decide how best to honor her.  And you have all month to do it.....there is your pressure valve, girls, all month.... so you decide the timing and the manner but be intentional about getting it done.

I already know who I am going to honor this month and the fun thing is I think she will be totally surprised.  She has made a big impact on my life and been a steady source of encouragement.

Each month I will remind you of the category and help you along in being intentional and getting it done.  I think it will be fun!

Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday!