Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking -- Does it work?

After reading BLINK: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, I decided to put into practice what I learned.

Hubby and I went to Olive Garden for Valentine's Day. My usual MO is fret over what to order, choose, second guess choice, ask others what they are ordering, make order adjustments, second guess second choice, order, then have food envy all evening. 

Should I pick something cheap? 

Should I go healthy?

What about sharing a plate with hubby or one of the kids?

Last thing I want is to be the person who ordered the most expensive item . . . or the unhealthiest. Nor do I want to be the person who can't make up her mind. Or who orders last because she has to wait to see what everyone else is ordering.

I'm not advocating all decisions should be made in the blink of a moment (actually, two seconds), but many can be. Like what menu item to order. When I go with my immediate first choice, I'm pretty much satisfied. 

Or at least I have been since reading BLINK.

What book has made you change your thinking?

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Jan’s Peanut Butter Cookies

(SPOILER: This recipe is not Gluten-Free. However, when I make them, I substitute coconut oil and butter for Crisco, and Jules' G-F flour for wheat flour.)

My oldest son often says the worst year of his life was 2nd grade. We'd moved from Oklahoma to Virginia, and he didn't have any friends in the neighborhood, in school, or at church.

I told him, "Well, then you should be happy you've gotten the worst year of your life outta the way." Somehow that never seems to make his memory of that year any more tolerable.

My theory is he had such a fabulous 1st grade that 2nd grade couldn't NOT disappoint no matter where we lived or how many friends he had or didn't have. See, in 1st grade, Matt had Jan Marvin for his teacher. Jan also attended the same church as us.

Needless to say, Matt was Jan's favorite student. He knew it. She knew it. That's just how it was. Of course, in Jan's defense, I will say that Matt is such a loveable boy that in his 12 years of public education, he's only had three teachers who I know didn't like him--Mrs. White, Mrs. Salvo, and Mrs. Williamson who taught him in 8th grade choir. Yes, the boy was failing choir at one point, which is as lousy as failing art, which my oldest daughter was doing at one point.

This is why I tell my kids "having a good attitude and doing your homework is 75% of your grade."

Anyhoo . . .

Jan doted on Matt. Matt idolized her.

Which is fitting because my favorite peanut butter cookie is Jan's recipe. It's circled with a heart in my cookbook.

Let's begin with pre-heating the oven to 375*.

1/2 cup butter, margarine or butter-flavored Crisco

1/2 cup low-salt, creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, and sugars until fluffy.

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add egg and vanilla; beat well.

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Add dry ingredients to batter and mix until well combined.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Criss-cross with the tines of a fork. Then bake for about 10 minutes. Cook on wire rack, and continue process until all cookies are baked.

Pour a glass of milk, grab a few cookies, and enjoy! 

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe (GLUTEN-FREE)

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

Everything is better with butter . . . except watermelon. My mind can't wrap around the thought of the two together. Or watermelon and bacon.

I did see chocolate candy with bacon pieces at Whole Foods. No, I didn't buy it because I didn't want to waste the money. Do you really think chocolate and bacon are going to taste good together? Can you see now why I didn't want to waste my money.

Alas, I occasionally wish I had splurged.

I want to be more of risk-taker with trying different and unusual combination foods.

Which brings me to Alta Barker's recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

My mother taught me that when you're at someone's house you eat whatever food is served even if you don't like it. Well, we were at someone else's house where this was served. Salty pretzels with Jello and strawberries? I don't know.

Try it, try it and see.

Preheat oven to 400*.

2 cups crushed GLUTINO pretzels*

2 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup butter, melted

Mix pretzels, sugar, and butter. Spread in a 9x13 pan (pat down) and bake for 7 minutes. Allow to cool. Feel free to turn your oven off at this point if you aren't baking something else.

 *If you don't have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, you can use regular pretzels. However, numerous people have tasted the Glutino pretzels and commented they taste better than regular pretzels. I agree.

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1 (8 oz) carton whipped topping

1 cup powdered sugar

Blend cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar. Spread on crust.

1 (6 oz) box strawberry Jello

1 (10-16 oz) package  frozen strawberries

1 small can crushed pineapple

Mix Jello according to directions. Place in refrigerator to congel. Before it sets (when it's the consistency of slime, isn't that appetizing?), fold in the thawed strawberries and drained pineapple. Pour this mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Chill.

If you have a larger container of whipped topping, you could add a dollop to the top of each serving. Or not. :-)

Masterpiece Marriage book review

5* Amazon book review by Kathleen

Being skilled in the Art of Pleasing Others truly did obliterate her individuality. No wonder the average English girl was viewed as decidedly dull by the Americans. Years of being "improved" made her this way.
--Masterpiece Marriage, 46

Join another wonderful Quilts of Love story ~ finding how quilts change and resurrect the longing to express.

A beautiful story of hope and love ~ and Mary. So reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life ~ the old house, the dreams, the future to be taken when you realize why you were born. To live, to love; to be received, to reach for the plans He has for you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity...
--Jeremiah 29:11-14a, KJV

Guilt of Zenus Dane's past drives him to perfection-seeking in all he does. Gone is the gaiety of his youth and he settles into a routine he believes is what he has and is to do. A flooded warehouse sends him to his aunt Priscilla to try to recoup his damages in his textile mill. An accomplished and respected quilter/designer, Zenus is certain her artwork will bring his goods into a salable option.

Mary Varrs is house-sitting while completing her scientific experiments with tomato seedlings, preparing to submit her work for her first employment in the field. Being advised of a new requirement to add drawings with her papers, she finds neighbor Priscilla Dane Osbourne with the skill she most needs to complete her application; line drawings so desperately needed in a short time. She sees Mrs. Osbourne's drawings on an invitation she receives to be part of a Quilting Bee to complete a Bride's Quilt. Being an Englishwoman, certainly she knows how to do handwork.

I enjoyed the humor in the story but also the depth of thought in determining what held importance in Mary's life and the freedom she had to choose. In 1891, the academics did not favor women taking part. Being sponsored brought Mary under obligation, until she realized the choices she did have.

Very well-written and expressed, I look forward to future writings by this author.

___________________

Masterpiece Marriage on sale at Amazon!

Inkwell Inspirations: Writing Myths Perpetuated by Christian Writers, Pa...

Today I'm blogging on Inkwell Inspirations!



Inkwell Inspirations: Writing Myths Perpetuated by Christian Writers, Pa...: by Gina Welborn After being involved in numerous writing groups over the last decade, I've noticed a difference between Christian...

Masterpiece Marriage book review

5* AMAZON REVIEW BY writer@heart!

Masterpiece Marriage is a delightful story about finding true love when you least expect it, exactly when you need it.

The story’s leading lady is Miss Mary Varrs, a single woman from Europe who is visiting and lodging in a home on the East Coast of the United States of America because of the soil of the Eastern Shore. According to Mary, the soil there “enjoys the agricultural advantages of a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and a long growing season” which is just what Miss Mary whose passion is studying the growth pattern of her tomato seedlings, needs.

But her studies are interrupted by a dashing gentleman by the name of Zenus Dane who at first is repelled then intrigued by the mannerisms of ever so proper and elegant Miss Mary. As the story progresses, the reader is in for laughter, sweet scenarios and moments that make you hold your breath in anticipation for what happens next.

The author, Gina Welborn, knows how to weave a beautiful story of romance matched with reality of a historical time. The reader is not likely to get bored because even when they’re tempted to speed read, the characters, plot and engaging dialogue will draw the bored or hurried reader right back into the vivid action and heart of the story.

After reading Masterpiece Marriage, the reader may want to read another one of Welborn’s books because by the end of this book you want more from this talented author whose characters in this story are not only likeable but flawed and wonderful.

If there was a soundtrack for the love story between Miss Mary and Mr. Zenus Dane, I’d say perhaps the popular love song, “If You Asked Me To” by Celine Dion is best suited to portray the inner thoughts of these two characters. Clearly, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all who need their hope of finding true love rekindled.

____________________________

Masterpiece Marriage  on sale at Amazon!

Inkwell Inspirations: Forget New Year's resolutions, let's try "New Day ...

A refreshing look at New Year's Resolutions

Inkwell Inspirations: Forget New Year's resolutions, let's try "New Day ...: By Niki Turner We're almost two weeks in to 2015, which means most of us who made New Year's resolutions have already fallen o...

Inkwell Inspirations: Small Beginnings

Take time to learn a skill. Be persistent. That's the focus of this encouraging blog post:



Inkwell Inspirations: Small Beginnings: I just finished a project that was literally years in the making. I saw this beautiful quilt, Baltimore Bunnies by Anne Sutt...

Inkwell Inspirations: Masterpiece Marriage

Another book review and a chance to win an autographed copy!



Inkwell Inspirations: Masterpiece Marriage: Is the weather outside perhaps a little too frightful? Has winter arrived a bit early, leaving you with dreams of a warm Christmas inst...

Book Review of Masterpiece Marriage:

Lane Hill House: Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn ~ a Quilts of...: Being skilled in the Art of Pleasing Others truly did obliterate her individuality. No wonder the average English girl was viewed as decide...

Masterpiece Marriage book review

Book by Book: Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn: About the Book ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ He wants to save his business. She wants to be a professor. But are they asking for more than they can real...

Fiction Writing Tip

Seriously Write: An Ode to the Senior Class of MacArthur High Schoo...: Gina Welborn Like dirt in the wind wanting... waiting... knowing... knowing that one day they will be sucked in the great vacuu...

Tea and a Good Book ~ Susanne Dietze: Welcome Debbie Lynne Costello...and a Giveaway!

Here's another giveaway for you!



Tea and a Good Book ~ Susanne Dietze: Welcome Debbie Lynne Costello...and a Giveaway!: Thanks to Debbie Lynne for being here today! Debbie Lynne has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised h...

Inkwell Inspirations: Celebrating Gina Welborn's "Masterpiece Marriage"....

This week over at my team blog, Inkwell Inspirations, we are celebrating my newest release, Masterpiece Marriage. Lots of tomato recipes to check out! Plus I'll share the first three chapters for you to read.



Inkwell Inspirations: Celebrating Gina Welborn's "Masterpiece Marriage"....: It's December outside but inside, it's May, just like in Gina's book! Susanne here. Come in from the cold and join spring...

How to Love Unlovable and Unlikeable People (Part 3)

Repeatedly in the New Testament, Jesus followers are told to love others. No caveat. No astrick. Just . . .  

Love Others.

Not to judge others. Not to discipline others. Not to change others.

But it's easier--no, safer--NOT to associate with the liberal fem-nazi, the girl with the nose ring and tattoos covering her entire left arm, the pious church lady, the gay co-worker who enjoys sharing his weekend exploits, or the mother-in-law who finds fault in everything you do and has no shame in giving daily reminders.

Haven't you been warned at church to stay away from the world? From the sinful people in the world? From the sinful people in the public school system? Protect your children. Evil company corrupts good character. Follow the commandments, tithe your 10%, don't miss Sunday church services, don't drink wine, don't watch anything on rated R, read your Bible every day, do those things that show you're a good Christian.

Somewhere in following all those religious rules and regulations, we lost what really matters to God. Our hearts.

Erwin McManus wrote:

"Two thousand years ago God started a revolt against the religion. He started. So don't ever put it past God to cause a groundswell movement against churches and Christian institutions that bear His name. If He was willing to turn Judaism upside down, don't think for a moment our institutions are safe from a divine revolt. I'm convinced that even now there are multitudes of followers of Jesus Christ who are sick and tired of the church playing games and playing down the call of God. My travels only confirm that the murmurings of a revolution are everywhere. I am convinced that there is an uprising in the works and that no one less than God is behind it."

A vast number of religious leaders in Jesus's time put all their stock in following the rules, rituals, traditions, commandments, programs, and expectations . . . and they often forgot to put love first. I know people in the church who've made judging others an art form. (I've been guilty as well.) Try wearing an Adidas athletic suit to church on Sunday morning and see how many "how inappropriate of her" looks you get. (Of course the test has greater significance if you're married to one of the pastors.)

The gospel of Matthew records Jesus saying:

"This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you."

• You want to be listened to. listen to others.
• You want to be accepted unconditionally, accept others unconditionally.
• You want to be loved, love others.

And by "others" I don't mean only the people who are easy to like. Stop judging others and holding them up to your standards of righteousness. So what if someone wears shorts to church on Sunday morning. So what if someone enjoys a glass of wine on occasion. So what if someone lets loose a profanity or almost profanity. So what if someone doesn't discipline his children to your level of satisfaction. So what if someone decorates her house differently than you, doesn't read the types of books you do, enjoys watching cheesy daytime talk-shows, thinks the King James Version of the Bible is the only God-ordained one, or even insists the movie AVATAR is new-age, environmentalist propaganda.

In his book THE END OF RELIGION, Bruxy Cavey wrote:

"Jesus called His followers to live by a higher standard, the way of love instead of the way of the law. And to drive home His point, He had to break the rules over and over again." 

What "rules" would you break if you loved others without caveat?

Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.