Protective……Within this description would also be shielding, safeguarding, defensive, precautionary, caring, warm, maternal, overprotective, possessive
Loved….In this account, one could also use adore, deep affection, devoted, dote on, delight in
Guided…This word brings the thought of leading, steering, showing the way, directing, supervise
These thoughts make me think of being a mom. These are things that mom’s do along the way in bringing up a child into adulthood. If you are a mom, I’m sure these words paint pictures in your mind of times when your relationships with your children mattered in teaching them right from wrong or showing them what they meant to you.
We live in the country, and are surrounded by gravel roads. These are oftentimes quiet roadways, without much commotion going on. One day this past week as my husband was traveling north on one of these dusty roads, he slowed down to watch a little family of geese. The two parents were trying their best to get the four itty-bitty goslings from one side of the road to the other. They had to be newly hatched according to their size, and the trek across that wide road must have seemed overwhelming to them! Where they were headed, Dan couldn’t tell, as grasses on both sides were pretty long and the ditches steep. However, the parents were doing their best to provide help and protection as they scooted along.
Even though we are no longer milking cows, we have a small herd of cattle grazing the pasture. In the last few weeks, it has been fun to see some calves being born. Watching the mama cows with their offspring is quite interesting. Some of them won’t let you near their calf as they are so protective. Others seem to know where their calf is, but are not so strict about where they can “roam”. Parenting skills with animals are as diverse as humans, I suppose. Right now Dan is totally feeding a two day old heifer whose mom wants nothing to do with her. That is unusual in our experience with cattle, but it does happen.
As our country celebrates Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, May 10th, hopefully we will all reach out to our moms, if we can. If not, then I hope your memories will bring you happiness and thankfulness for the protection, love, and guidance given to you by your mom. If you are a mom that has taken on additional duties during this “stay at home” season with home-schooling duties, I applaud you. It would not be easy to help with several grade levels or subjects at a time, especially if you work outside the home and then attend to teaching on top of those hours. I can only imagine keeping small children happy, active, and entertained day after day without them being able to “go” and “do” as they normally would. Just know I am wishing all mothers a Happy Day to celebrate!!
I’d like to close my time with you this week with one more recipe that both Dan and I really enjoyed this past week. It was new to us, and we loved the blended flavors for a nutritious meal.
Chicken Fajitas
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, halved/seeded, cut into strips
1 yellow bell pepper, halved/seeded, cut into strips
1 large white onion, halved and thinly sliced
3 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
Salsa
1 lime, quartered (optional)
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in large skillet over high. Add garlic, peppers and onion. Season with 1 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Cook and stir often about 15 minutes until veg. are soft.
Transfer vegetables to a plate, set aside. Do not wipe skillet clean.
Season chicken evenly with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in skillet over high. Add chicken and cook until browned. About 12 minutes per side.
Transfer chicken to cutting board and cool 5 minutes. Cut chicken crosswise into thin strips. Do not wipe skillet clean.
Put the vegetables and chicken together, back into the skillet, stirring together until heated through. Serve on warm tortillas with salsa. Add juice from lime wedges if you want.
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