Small Can Be Good

by | Aug 31, 2024 | let's chat

SAT AM COFFEE CHAT

Whoa, what a week. What a month! Lots of crazy with a side of unexpected.

And this was the month I decided to start a personal challenge.  lol

It actually went pretty well. I missed a few days, but because most of my goals were mini, it was fairly easy to get back on track.

WOMAN WALKING

I’m enjoying reading again and I’m getting more exercise. I’m still struggling in the kitchen a bit, but I’m developing habits around the house and I can see a change.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one. Mark Twain

I think I will continue the challenge into September and gently tweak my goals. I might add one or two more. We’ll see.

Is there anything y’all would like to practice in September? Start small.  🙂

My DIL still raises bunnies, so I get to play with cute, cuddly kits from time to time.

CUDDLY KITS

Small can be good and cute. 

 

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Image credits – woman walking © Daniel Reche / Pixabay, cuddly kits © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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Step Out of Autopilot

by | Aug 30, 2024 | conclusions

MY THOUGHTS

INVITATION TO INTIMACY –  (Day 6 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

This week we were experimenting with drawing and inviting our spouses to various forms of intimacy.

Draw me away with you … Song of Songs 11:4a  AMP

How did you do? What did you learn?

I learned it takes energy and intention. I have a heart for it, but I have to give this a higher priority and make the time and energy for it, or I run on autopilot.

ROBOT ON AUTOPILOT

It was a crazy week for us (medical stuff, website stuff, family stuff), so I was pretty tired. Thinking about intimate times with my sweetie, planning for it, and actually doing something cost time and energy.

I am glad we have next week to practice these principles. I’m praying for an easier week to get in some practice time.

Chicory.

CHICORY

It grows everywhere on the property. Love the little blue flowers.

 

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Image credits – robot on autopilot © Mopic / Adobe Stock, chicory © photographer / source
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Moments of Togetherness

by | Aug 29, 2024 | second try

SECOND TRY

INVITATION TO INTIMACY –  (Day 5 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Take what you learned from yesterday and the day before, and consider what you might try (or try again) today.

Draw me away with you … Song of Songs 11:4a  AMP

How will you draw your sweetie into moments of togetherness? 

COUPLE READING TOGETHER

What do they love to talk about? What do they love to do? What brings you joy to experience together?

A sunflower leaf …

SUNFLOWER LEAF

Pretty as a picture.

 

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Image credits – couple reading together © Drobot Dean / Adobe Stock, sunflower leaf © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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What Pulls You Away?

by | Aug 28, 2024 | road blocks

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?

INVITATION TO INTIMACY (Day 4 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

How did your day of practice go? Were you able to make time for connecting with your sweetie?

Draw me away with you … Song of Songs 11:4a  AMP

My roadblocks are being too busy or being distracted.

ROADBLOCK SIGNS

It takes time and intention to connect with someone, especially if you are trying something new.

I also know if I’m dealing with strong emotion (anger, fear, etc.), I tend to want to be alone. Though I appreciate hugs and prayers, it’s harder for me to engage with others.

What made it more difficult for you to reach out to your spouse? Was there anything that made it easier?

We love our blackberries.

PROPAGATING BLACKBERRIES

An easy way to make more is to run a long stem through cups full of soil (cut slits/holes in the sides of all the cups) with a few leaves showing on top. When roots form, you can cut your new baby blackberry plants apart. More yumminess for next year!

 

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Image credits – roadblock signs © BCFC / Adobe Stock, propagating blackberries © Paul / Doing Marriage Well
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Time Together

by | Aug 27, 2024 | first try

GIVE IT A TRY

INVITATION TO INTIMACY  (Day 3 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Let’s do a little practice today.

Draw me away with you … Song of Songs 11:4a  AMP

Look for opportunities to invite your spouse to times of togetherness.

COUPLE SHARING COFFEE TIME

It doesn’t have to be too complicated. Give them a hug at the start of your day. Maybe even pray for them when you do that. Send them a sweet text. Invite them for a walk or to watch their favorite movie (hold hands). Sex is good (aim for a good time of day for the both of you).

Think back to those times when you felt close. Repeat as you are able.

This might not seem too amazing to many of you, but there is color on some of our larger tomatoes. The northwest has had a hard summer. Tomatoes and peppers have struggled (if they lived at all).

SAN MARZANO TOMATOES

These are San Marzano tomatoes that I will dehydrate and store in oil.

 

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Image credits – coffee sharing coffee time © Michael DeMoya / Unsplash, San Marzano tomatoes © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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Do You Invite?

by | Aug 26, 2024 | self-examination

SELF-EXAMINATION

INVITATION TO INTIMACY  (Day 2 of 6)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

We spent yesterday thinking about God’s design for intimacy in marriage, in and out of the bedroom.

Draw me away with you … Song of Songs 11:4a  AMP

I spent a fair amount of time thinking about the “draw” aspect. People want to be invited, wooed, and wanted. That’s a pretty heady draw.

INVITING WIFE

I’ve had periods of doing well and periods of doing pretty poorly. I tend to think my sweetie knows how much I love and appreciate him and, of course, I want to spend time with him.

But really, our spouses need to hear and be shown that they are desired and wanted on an ongoing basis.

How have you done in the past? When you first married? Under the pressures of life? Today?

Paul and I have been trying to plan meals around the things that we grow.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE BAKED BY PAUL

What better way to use strawberries and rhubarb than pie! (I like pie and one must have dessert now and then.)  🙂

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credits – inviting wife © Prostock-studio / Adobe Stock, strawberry rhubarb pie baked by Paul © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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