Endless Gifts

Here's what I'm Loving today:

LOVING holly berries.  They are just perfect circles of happiness.  Try placing them in mason jars for a center-piece at your wedding... it is elegantly delightful!

LOVING pecans as a center-piece for our last week here in Georgia (an update soon to come on our traveling plans!)


LOVING the smells of garlic, tomatoes, cinnamon, and pork simmering together over the stove.  This is a favorite recipe in the Shear household.  Baby, Grandparents, and Hubby approved!

Italian Pork Stew 

(Modified from Taste of Home)

3/4 Lb boneless pork loin cut into bite sized pieces

1/3 C flour

2 T oil

Dredge the pork pieces with flour and in 3 separate batches brown over medium high heat in a dutch oven or large pot.  Set aside and keep warm

After all the meat is browned and in a separate bowl, sautee:

1 large onion

5 cloves of garlic

Add:

1 C beef broth or red wine

1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes undrained

3 bay leaves

Browned pork

1 T cinnamon

1 t each oregano and basil

1/2 t crushed red pepper

salt & pepper to taste

Bring to a boil and then cover, and let simmer for 2 1/2 hrs.

Before serving, prepare a box of bow tie pasta according to directions.

Serve stew over pasta and grate fresh parmesan atop.

LOVING the list of Endless Gifts (www.onethousandgifts.com) that continues to be written, for His glory:

141) The first gleam of Dawn's light

142) The fight to give thanks

149) Imagining what causes Tirzah to sing songs of delight in her crib after she wakes

150) $4.50 new sweater for Tirzah

151)  Libraries

154) Hair-bows for still yet too thin hair

157)  Golden crown of the sunset

159)  Feeling love grow and whispering thanks for answered prayers

160) Road-side boiled peanuts

161) Swings

162) Tirzah's toes buried in park's sand

164) The sun and moon exactly opposite one another in the twilight's sky

165)  The order of the universe

166) China bowls

167) Hanging laundry standing on a chair

168) Singing Tirzah's bedtime routine over the phone with Marlene

 Daniel is LOVING good books

Tirzah is LOVING graham crackers

and as always and forever, I'm LOVING my husband, my hero, my Beloved