Mason Gregory Garka

I wish I could start this post by saying that I make it my daily mission to begin each day with an attitude of gratitude. It is something I wish I did. No something I am starting to do. (or at least trying to do). Thankfully (like what I did here J ) it is November the month to give thanks. How could I not remember this month? All you have to do is open some social media site and you will be reminded… Because someone, somewhere is yelling at you through some sort of device what they are thankful today. Some of my favorites this far:   Today I am thankful for “adult” beverage   I am thankful for holidays that don’t force me to reflect on being thankful   I really like reading what your thankful for… Said no one ever I am thankful that spiders don’t fly Every Thanksgiving I am thankful for stretchy pants Black Friday: Because only in America do people trample on and other for sales just one day after reflecting what they are thankful for Names have ...

It is officially fall in the Pacific NW!!!! Photo credit. Diane Again. A morning walk with the one and only Mason Garka! The weather has cooled. Football has started. The crockpot has been dusted off. With each day that passes I get older and my aging pains increase (NO JOKE). This is the primary reason we eat a Paleo diet.  Some of the food we test is okay. Some good. Others GREAT. This crockpot recipe is a win for both my husband and I as well as our kids! It falls into the GREAT category! Beef Chunk Chili Ingredients 2 tsp coconut oil 2.5 lbs beef chunk (stew meat). Cut into cubes. (We cut them into healthy size chunks) 2 red bell peppers. cubed. 1 onion. chopped. 28 oz chopped tomatoes. 1.5 cups beef broth 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 cloves minced garlic  1 bay leaf 2.5 tbsp chili powder 3 tsp sea salt 2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp curry powder 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (use less if servi...

So I was asked a question the other day that caught me off guard... Do you celebrate Halloween? Umm.. I have never had to answer that.  I guess I should have saw it coming (maybe)? My kids did just start attending a Christian School that does not recognize this "holiday". Unable to answer this question seamlessly when asked I thought I would re-address here. Do we celebrate Halloween??? I don't celebrate evil. Or darkness. Or Witches, Ghosts and Goblins. But I DO CELEBRATE KIDS. And Princesses. And Fairies. And Ninja's. And Doctors. And Candy. And Neighbors. And Community. If we are the LIGHT in the world why would we hide in our homes on this "dark day"?!?! What point are we proving by doing this? Besides what other day of the year does your entire neighborhood show up on your door??? So I say welcome them and give them the best candy! If you don't agree with me... that is okay. We still BOTH belong to Christ! This y...