The Weekly Food Shop. Saving Money at the Supermarket

Following up from last week's post on not wasting food, I'm sharing some of the things that Rev T and I do to make this rather boring, but essential job, easier.  And, hopefully, prevent food waste along the way.  

We go to the supermarket together each week.  Hot dating, parent style!  

A cupboard full of stables.  

We keep stables in the cupboard that can be used for various meals - tinned tuna, coconut milk, rice, pasta, spices etc.  As soon as a basic is used up, it gets added to the weekly shopping list so it can be replaced.  We use a paper list, but you could use an app.  I try to keep the cupboards neat so stuff doesn't get lost at the back.

Meal plan.  

We plan what we're eating for the week, note down the ingredients and only shop for those meals.  Meal planning saves us time, money and prevents food waste.  I'm loving the One Pound Meals from Instagram chief Miguel Barclay.  Man's a genius.  

Stock take.  

Before we go to the supermarket, we check to see what we have already to make sure we don't buy something that's already in the cupboard or freezer.  (I say we, but Rev T is better at this than me).

Write a list.  

And stick to it.  A list makes it less likely you'll forget things or buy stuff you don't need because it's cheap.  We use a paper one, but there's almost certainly an app for that.

Bulk buy.  

When I was a child, my parents and their friends clubbed together to buy whole cows, pigs and sheep directly from the farmer for the freezer.  Buying direct from a farm was cheaper than buying from shops.  Everything was divided up and there were Sunday Roasts for everybody for months. (No idea if you can still do this).  If you have the space and the income, buy non-perishable things - toilet rolls, cat litter etc - in bulk when they're on offer.  We don't.  Our kitchen lacks storage space.

Other friends:

• Shop locally and get all their fruit and vegetables at the market at the weekend and their meat from a farm butchers.  (We go to the farm butchers but not the market.  It is cheaper and nothing's pre-packaged but we're not always able to get to the market when it's open).

• Take their own bags and avoid over packaged items.  (We're working on this).

• Read the labels carefully to avoid certain ingredients as they have allergies or just don't eat certain things etc.  

Any tips for making food shopping even easier?  

Photos taken at the Keats House, Hampstead

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Laura @ Five Little Doves

Buy, Cook and Eat the Food. Don't Waste It

Every so often I throw away some food we didn't get round to eating.  It's gone off in the fridge.  Or, hidden at the back of the kitchen cupboard, it's been forgotten and well past it's use by date.  

Each time I feel guilty and ashamed.  Because so many people in this country are hungry and rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families.  Because I know some of them.  Rev T helped set up and runs the Food Bank in the village.  I can't help during the day, but provide an extra pair of hands if needed.  Sometimes we need to open up in the evenings for people who couldn't make that day and can't wait until next time.  Their cupboards are bare.  The people who come are just like everyone else, just down on their luck and in need of a helping hand. How can I look them in the eye when I've allowed perfectly good food to go to waste ... Because my cupboards are so full I forgot what I had.  

Over the Easter break, I had a bit of a clear out.  Moved the things we use everyday to the front of the cupboard, found a home for the stock cubes, threw away the baking ingredients of pensionable age and donated a few unopened, in-date things we'll never use to the Food Bank.  Wiped down the cupboards.  Resolved to try harder in future.  Part of that is accepting my own reality.  I like cooking savoury dishes but hate baking.  The nearest I'll ever get is watching Bake-Off with a mug of tea and a fistful of digestives.  I have no need for baking ingredients or muffin tins.

I'm not the only one wasting food.  People in the UK throw away the equivalent of two and a half meals each week.  That's about £60 a month for a family of four.  About a week's shopping ... Love Food, Hate Waste has lots of ideas about how to change this.  As well as more sobering statistics.  

And that's before I start thinking about the amount of packaging and rubbish generated within my kitchen.  We're trying to make small changes ... Opting for paper / cardboard / glass packaging over plastic when possible.  Avoiding plastic bags ... Building on what we're doing already.  Read about it in my Sustainable Me post.  

This is a bit of a corkscrew post ... Spiralling along it's theme before coming to an end with calls to action.  

To paraphrase, very loosely, A Bug's Life:

"Buy the food, cook the food, eat the food.  

Don't Waste the food".

Our Food Bank is always grateful for donations of food and non-food items and help them find their way into the hands of those who need them.  If you want to know what's in a typical food parcel, Trussell Trust has some ideas.   Not all Food Banks are part of Trussell - ours isn't - so if you want to find your nearest, type food bank and your area into Google.  

I've got a post coming up next week about good food shopping habits as well. Thank you for reading and have a lovely week.  

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Mumzilla's favourite post on a Blogging Good Time

Jean @ Delightful Repast

Britmums Charity Round-up with Su @ Ethan & Evelyn

Reasons To Be Cheerful

We all want something to help cheer up a gloomy day.  The ones where nothing quite goes to plan, it's rainy and grey or sunny but you're stuck indoors, the news makes you wonder what's going on, everything just seems meh and it's all too much effort.

One days like this, I try to find 3 happy things and list them.  Just because there must be something good in every day.  There must ...

I'm not sure where I got this idea from.  If it's you, claim it in the comments!

For example:

Doctor Who, the cat sitting on my lap, on my own.  (Rev T is not a fan.  I can't wait to see Jodie Whitaker!)

Glass of wine, pasta dinner, pudding.

Warm socks, comfortable shoes, a place to go.

A good book, a cup of coffee, a piece of cake.

Friends to talk to, listen with, exchanging hugs.

Great song, radio, dancing

Daughter and Me day, cinema, popcorn

Husband and Me evening, cinema, pick n mix

Urgent project, finished, boss happy

Congratulations!  Mufasa is featured on this week's #ShankYouPets.  Kibbles, Kibbles for everyone!

This week’s #ShankYouPets features are here! #englishbulldog #dog #puppy #cute #pet #pets #petstagram #photooftheday #dogs #cat #dogsofinstagram #cats #instagramdogs #dogoftheday #adorable #doglover #catsofinstagram #fish #cow #chicken #petsofinstagram #animal #animals #cutepets #cutenessoverload #furbaby #kitten #squishy

A post shared by Heather Keet (@shankyouheather) on Apr 22, 2018 at 12:57pm PDT

Share three happy things with me in the comments so everyone reading feels a little better.

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Blogcrush chosen by Liberty from Liberty on the Lighter Side 

Rain

Curled up on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, half watching "Murder, Mystery and My Family" while listening to and watching the rain.  There's lots of things I could be doing instead - cleaning, tidying, cuddling the cat, checking the Tubblet's done her homework - but rain ...  

It's an opportunity to think about future plans - Rev T's sabbatical *,  our family holiday, work projects, ideas for blog posts ... As well as more pressing things like whether I want to turn the fire on or make myself a cup of tea.  

I don't have to leave the house again today.  We've been to church this morning and for a walk this afternoon.  No need to think about whether I'll need my raincoat, where the umbrella is or what shoes to wear.  I can watch the world go by and enjoy the peace.  Having a little bit of time and space is a real blessing.  

The rest of the family is upstairs.  I can hear the Tubblet and Rev T moving around and chatting. He's probably asking about her homework.  They're going to cook dinner later.  As it's Sunday, it's going to be a special meal.  Roast pork with all the trimmings.  Earlier we were laughing hard about nothing. As you do. Which is cool. The cat is wandering about looking for a comfortable place to lie down or some extra food.

I complain - frequently - that life is an endless balancing act between work, home, church and family  - and like all families we have our moments.  But really, it's pretty good.  We're lucky to be where we at.

Isn’t it weird how watching the rain could make make my mind wander all over the place?

* Every seven years, Ministers get a three month Sabbatical where they step away from their church and spend the time doing other things like studying.  Rev T is off to Atlanta to visit the MLK museum amongst other things.  

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Things I've Learnt About Relationships

Hope you're all survived enjoyed the Easter break.  We've seen family and relaxed  between working (grown-up) and studying (Tubblet).  Our big treat was going to see Arcade Fire at Wembley. Awesome!  Live footage over at NME and a few photos on my Instagram.  (Finally remembered the password! 😶 )

All that family time reminded me this post about relationships was lurking in my drafts.  Which is a bit awkward.  Having asked a load of lovely bloggers about relationships and written the post, I stopped blogging for months.  My apologies to everyone who helped me write this.  Better late than never ...


"I am human and I want to be loved ..." wailed Morrisey to one of the greatest guitar riffs by Johnny Marr.  (How soon is now - The Smiths).  A sentiment that most of us can relate too.   But finding the right person to have a relationship with is hard.  And once you've found them, maintaining that relationship is really hard work.

I've learnt a few things about relationships over the years.  One of them is ask when you need help, so I did.  Here's a mix-up of my and other bloggers relationship advice.  Take what you need, ignore the rest.

You talk and listen to each other.  

You both feel comfortable telling each other most things - that you're happy, sad, your feelings have been hurt etc.  

Danielle (Someone's Mum): "Communication and honesty My husband is my best friend and confidante. There is nothing I would tell anyone that I would not tell him."  

Maria (Suburban Mum): "Keeping the conversation going and asking about each others day. Sometimes it's all too easy to talk about the kids that we forget about ourselves and our partners, oh and date nights once a month!"

You can each be yourselves.  

You know how weird they are, they know how weird you are and you still like each other.  Everyone has their flaws.  Talk about it, sort things out and move forward.  

Carla (Random Thoughts of a Twenty Something): "Having realistic expectations from one another and being honest is something has made us cross rather than holding it in!"

You don't sweat the small stuff. 

Tracy (Pack the PJs):  "Not sweating the small stuff. Taking time out to realise that a lot of things don't really matter - as parents we have so much to worry about, it's good to take a step back, together, and realise that a lot of it doesn't really matter. Less stress leads to happier relationships!" 

Lyra (This Is Where I Blog): "Forgiving the little annoying things! Getting too annoyed at things that don't really matter (who's turn it is to wash up, laundry not being folded properly) will only lead to madness! (Very different if one party is genuinely not pulling their weight of course, but as long as everyone is trying and means well that's the important thing!"

You laugh together.  

Laughter really can be the best medicine and a little goes a long way.  

Victoria (Lylia Rose): "Compromise and a sense of humour! Being able to have banter with one another and take the mickey out of each other (within reason) and realise we both have flaws, but we love each other for them anyway!".  

Kelly (Kelly Allen Writer): 'In jokes'! When my hubby and I are a bit irritble, we crack a joke or bring up a memory (normally from a bad time we can now laugh at) and it reforms the bond between us, we know we got through 'that' so we can get through anything. Also realising what keeps you both ticking, and for us it's intimacy".

You enjoy each other's company.  

Enough to look up from social media, put the phone down and do things together.  Rev T and I have travelled to some great places, seen loads of good bands, watched some rubbish films and learnt DIY from watching YouTube.  

Beth (Twinderelmo): Try to set aside a specific date night for you both - whether it be going out or staying in. Phones off and just spend time together".  Thanks to Lianne (Mrs Mummy Harris),  I have discovered alphabet dating.  

But you also enjoy your own space and have your own interests  Jen (Just Average Jen):  "Time apart ... I don't mean separation but time doing separate interests and different friends etc so it's not all about having shared times though they are important too".  

Fight the good fight ...

As the old hymn says ... Amy (The Mighty Duxburys): "A good old argument every now and then. You can't agree with everything all the time (that's unhealthy!) and sometimes, you need to just have it out with each other. Within reason, of course!"  

Jade (Raw Childhood): "My family always laugh at me and my oh because we bicker about silly things a good few times a day but we never have any big arguments. When we need to say something we just say it and it never turns into something bigger than it should be which results in us being very happy."

You share things.  

Like responsibility for chores, taking care of children or pets ... There are no boy or girl jobs.  You may not want to do the washing up, but you do.  Because it saves them a job.

Natalie (The Diary of an Unexpected Mother): "Appreciating what the other one does for you/your family."  

You take it in turns ...

Kimberly (Odd Hogg): "Do what the other person likes sometimes. I don't mean always let them pick the movie - you need to have your say too! But a good balance of doing something you may not be interested in we'll mean they feel happy too, and it will be your turn next time. It's all about give and take".

You trust each other.  

And you don't worry about what they're up to when you're not there.  You both have your own friends, interests and are happy spending time apart.  

Lisa (That British Betty): "Trust. I think being able to trust them 100% with things like finances, fidelity etc is so important. Insecurity and doubt are poisonous."

They make your heart skip a beat.

There are grown-up cuddles.  Amy (All Things Amy): "Can I be honest? Sex & intimacy. I really think it's important that you show each other that you still find each other attractive and love one another."

You want the same things.  

Over the long term.  Your own home?  Marriage?  Kids?  Dogs or cats?  But you also evolve and change together.  

Louise (Pink Pear Bear):  "Being able to change together. I'm a very different person to when we got together, and so is my husband but we accept each other for who we are. Also texting, it's so nice to have little texts through the day!"

Real love, real relationships require you to be vulnerable.  You open yourself up to someone.  They could hurt you.  It's a risk.  But one worth taking.

What relationship lessons have you learnt?

Should you want a dance down memory lane waving a gladioli over your head ... Here's The Smith's ...

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Sarah's favourite post 

Talking to the MP About Brexit Part 4

Another instalment in my occasional series of letters to my Tory Brexiter MP about Brexit.  I'm lobbying for a better Brexit rather than the "Hulk smash" kind of Brexit we seem to be heading towards.  

Previously, it was assumed that although my MP was a Brexiter, they weren't a Brexit at all costs type Brexiter.  Turns out that assumption wasn't necessarily the correct one.  Turns out my MP is part of the ERG in some way.  If conversations and names leaked to BuzzFeed are to be believed.  

All the best to everyone involved in the days of action over the weekend.  Making our voices heard is so important right now.  Letters, protests and street stalls do make a difference.  MPs listen, as this exchange shows, and policies can change as a result. Let's keep at it.  

Me, 11 March 2018

I was pleased to see IPSA has no record of you joining the European Research Group. I think the ERG’s policies are unrepresentative of the Brexit vision presented by Vote Leave during the Referendum and their hard, clean Brexit would be economically, socially and politically damaging to the UK.  I don’t want their ideas influencing Britain’s withdrawal policy or negotiating stance.

I was also pleased to see your comments about no deal not being an acceptable outcome in our pervious email exchange.  I was incredibly disappointed to see you named as an ERG member by Buzzfeed a few weeks ago and to read your comments in the more recent leaks from the WhatsApp group.  It appears you believe approximately 63% of your constituents are unpatriotic as they voted remain.

Please confirm that you are not a member or an ally of the ERG.  When the next election happens – either as a result of this government falling or reaching the end of its term - I will not vote for any Parliamentary candidate who supports them. I do not believe there is any mandate for the ERG’s vision of Brexit and that MPs allied with the ERG are acting against the nation’s interests.

I look forward to hearing from you.

My MP, 14 March 2018

Thank you for your email.

I appreciate you taking the time to write to me and for letting me know your views. As you have said in your email I am not a member of the ERG and I believe that my views on the EU are well known. I believe that it is important that parliament comes together and all MPs work with the government to ensure the best deal for the UK.

As always, I will continue to monitor these issues closely. Although I understand that naturally many people have differing views on this matter, I do not believe that this means that those with differing views are not acting in the best interests of the country.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

Me, 28 March 2018

Thank you for replying to me so quickly.  While your views on the EU are well known, there are many shades of Brexiteer and many routes to Brexit.  Your views on the kind of Brexit you hope the government will deliver aren’t so clear so some parts of the Buzzfeed article were surprising.  Although you have confirmed that you’re not a member of the ERG, you haven’t fully answered my question.  Please would you confirm whether or not you are an ally of the ERG.  As this will directly influence my voting intentions, I would appreciate a straight answer.  [Note: This part is less than truthful].

I agree with you that those with differing views to me believe they are acting in the best interests of the country.  Whether that’s actually true or not is another matter entirely.  I remain unconvinced which is why I’m writing to you about this issue.

I look forward to your response and wish you and your family a very happy Easter.

My MP, 6 April 2018

Thank you for your follow-up email concerning Brexit and the ERG.

As already stated in my previous email, I am not a member of the ERG. However, this research group has been established for a long time and has produced a lot of worthy and meaningful work with regard to the UK’s Withdrawal from the EU and making the most of the advantages and benefits that Brexit can provide for the UK.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

Me, Not Sent

Describing the ERG as a research group is a bit like describing Breibart as a news source.  If you're not a member or an ally of the ERG, why do press articles keep identifying you as both an member and an active participant?!  Just wondering ... 

While I'd love to hear their explanation, I've left it because if the poll numbers keep showing an increase in support for a public vote on the deal - a #FinalSay and a #Peoplesvote - I'll write to urge them to support that.  It's only fair the people get a say on whether they agree with the version of Leave that's on offer and get a chance to change their minds and Remain if they don't.  "If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy".  

I may need to contact them to express my opposition to UK bombing in Syria.  Purely on the basis that all the West's previous attempts to "sort things out" have been a disaster.  Still pondering what to say ... 

Miguel Barclay's FAST & FRESH One Pound Meals - A Review

FAST & FRESH is the second book by Miguel Barclay, aka the One Pound Chef.  Like the first book,  there are 80 simple recipes that serve one person but this one focuses light, summery dishes and street food from around the world.  There are plenty of low carb options as well as veggie, meat, chicken, pasta and fish recipes. From Summer Chicken Pie to Baked Eggs & Asparagus via Mexican Tortilla Soup and Fisherman's Pie.   

All the recipes are easy to follow and remember.  With dinner on the table in about 20 - 30 minutes.  Like the previous book, ingredients can be easily multiplied up to serve more than one.    Everything is available from the average supermarket - no Googling required.  The same larder is used throughout the book and there's an ingredient index so you can check what else you can cook with leftover chickpeas or kale.  

All the recipes we've tried have worked brilliantly and everything is really tasty.  Recipes can be tweaked without much bother.  If you don't have something to hand, ingredients can be swopped.  Spinach for kale or broccoli for asparagus.  If you want to jazz something up - a splash of sherry and a pinch of chilli in the chicken noodle soup - you can without wreaking it.  

Barclay sneaks in some technical things like making a sauce, but doesn't make them overly complicated, so you do them without over-thinking it.  (Then you dance around the kitchen looking smug, thinking "I've made a sauce and it wasn't lumpy!  Go me!").  

The main difference between this book and the last one is that Barclay has either moved closer to an Iceland or discovered the freezer aisle. This approach means ingredients that were previously off limits, like white fish, are now within budget.  I'm still not entirely convinced that each meal costs £1.  More like £1.50.  But a saving's still a saving.  

This is another of my go-to books for meals.  Like the previous book, everything I've cooked so far has turned out really well.  Here's a recipe from it for you to try:

Pad Thai

I always order this when we're out, but never tried it at home.  Palm sugar, roasting peanuts ... Far too much faff.  This is really simple and involves peanut butter.  Something we always have to hand.

1 sheet dried flat rice noodles

Sesame oil or olive oil if you don't have it

1 garlic clove

Pinch of chilli flakes

1/2 red onion

A few slices of carrot, cut into matchsticks

1 spring onion, roughly chopped

Small handful of cooked, peeled prawns

1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

1 egg

Soy sauce

1. Cook the rice noodles according to the packet instructions.
2. Heat a glug of sesame oil in a pan over a high heat.  Add the garlic, chilli flakes and red onion and stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the carrot and spring onion.  Stir-fry for a further minute, then add the prawns and peanut butter.
3. Continue to cook for a minute or so until everything is cooked.  (You might have to stir vigorously for a bit because peanut butter is quite solid).
4. Shove everything to one side of the pan and crack the egg into the empty side.  When the egg is 75% cooked, scramble it using a wooden spoon and mix it with the rest of the ingredients.  
5. Drain the noodles and add them to the pan.  Finish with a generous glug of soy sauce and serve immediately. 

Again, no picture.  I'd sooner eat a hot dinner with my family than spend 15 minutes moving the noodles into the right place and getting the lighting correct.  Sorry!

These books are great for people who want to cook from scratch without spending ages in the kitchen, the budget conscious, new cooks who want to learn more skills and students.  At the time of writing, Amazon has the book on offer for £4.99 ... Which is five meals.  Not a bad deal when you think about it.  And, there's a new one on the way ... Super Easy One Pound Meals.  Do I pre-order it now at a cost of 17 meals or wait for a price drop?!  Decisions ... Decisions ... 

Hope you're all surviving enjoying the Easter break.  We've been catching up with family and relaxing in between working (grown-ups) and revising for exams (the Tubblet).  Whatever it is you're doing, hope you're enjoying it.  

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Beauty Items I Won't Be Buying. The Anti-Haul.

You may have come across anti-haul videos or posts where a blogger discusses beauty products they wouldn't buy and why.  If I did an anti-haul video  - which will  never happen - it would be a light-hearted discussion of the principles I try to apply to any beauty purchase:

A want not a need
Better products available.  Cheaper

Can't swatch product.  I don't buy what I haven't seen
Colours don't suit me

Dodgy company *
Don't ship internationally

Expensive for what it is
Glitter

Got something similar already

I'm too old for unicorns or mermaids

Just not suitable

Nasty packaging **
No

Over-hyped

Pointless
Small
Stupid name ***
Tested on animals ****
Too big
Won't fit on dressing table

I'm still trying to decide whether I like them or not.  In some ways they hark back to the very first beauty blogs.  With beauty enthusiasts brutally evaluating products they'd purchased.  In other ways, maybe not so much. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the blog starts and the product's sales channel ends.

There are so many new releases and although I love knowing what's available, I've downsized my stash to what's needed and stick with trusted products.  I only have one face, two eyes, one pair of lips and four cheeks.  Makeup isn't like Pokemon.  I no longer feel the urge to catch it all.  

Have you come across anti-haul posts / videos?  What do you think of them?

* A purely subjective decision made by me.

** Cheap brushes and foam applicators.  Packaging that breaks after a week of normal use. No pump dispenser,.  Packaging that can't be opened so you can't use up all the product.  Containers that aren't see through so you can't see how much is left.  Tardis style containers full of air not product. Packaging that's impossible to open without breaking nails ...  I could go on ...

*** Names like "Glow Job" may sound funny in the meeting, but really?!  

**** Deal breaker. 

Hope you're all having a happy Easter and enjoying a much needed break with family and friends.

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Happy Easter. (Reflections on Psalm 139)

Rev T normally writes an Easter guest post, but he's a bit busy so I had a go.  He's better at explaining Christian things than me so rather than attempting a proper Easter message, I'm going to talk about a favourite Psalm.  With some images from the Easter window display of Choccywoccydoodah  in Brighton taken a few years ago for the right look and feel.  Chocolate is proof that God is out there.  

All liars, the saying goes, have a "tell".  An uncontrollable mannerism that slips out whenever they tell a fib that gives the game away and shows the sharp eyed observer that they're not telling the truth. One of the many unique things that make us "us".

A friend smiling as they remember a compliment paid, a kind word exchanged or a hug given by you. Someone enjoying something - a book, a song, a show - you shared.  A happy memory of a night out, a meal in or a joke told when you were there.  Your helping hand during a difficult time.  

A way of putting clothes together, applying makeup and styling hair.  Some interests and geeky hobbies.  An opinion clearly stated that changed a mind or made someone think twice.  

We are all unique, special with something valuable to contribute and our actions make a difference to others.   

One of my favourite Psalms is 139.  As well as talking about how each of us is different, it talks about how we are created in the image of a God who knows us, is always with us and loves us.  Here it is from the CEV version:

The Lord Is Always Near

You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,

    and you know all about me.

You know when I am resting or when I am working,

    and from heaven you discover my thoughts.

You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.

Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,

and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.

I can’t understand all of this!

    Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?

If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there.

If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.

Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.

Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.

Or suppose I said, “I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.”

But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.

You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body,  

and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.

Everything you do is marvellous!

    Of this I have no doubt.

Nothing about me is hidden from you!

I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,

but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.

Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.

Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.

I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach.

And when I awake, I will find you nearby.

How I wish that you would kill all cruel and heartless people and protect me from them!

They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you.

You know I hate anyone who hates you, Lord, and refuses to obey.

They are my enemies too, and I truly hate them.

Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking.

Don’t let me follow evil ways,  but lead me in the way  that time has proven true.

Whether you'll be at church, attempting to eat your entire body weight in chocolate or both, I wish you and yours a Happy Easter.  Thank you for reading as always.