Mexican Three Bean Salad

On Saturday evenings I've been preparing a few different raw salads to eat throughout the week.  This yummy Mexican Three Bean Salad was on the menu for this week and it is DELICIOUS! 

 

One nice thing about this salad is that it keeps all week in the fridge and makes quite a bit.  I eat it raw but my husband likes it heated and eaten over rice.  Some of the boys like it heated,mixed with rice, and topped with some cheese and sour cream and then rolled up in tortilla. 

 

If serving this dish make it the night before and let the flavors marinate overnight.

 

 

 

Mexican Three Bean Salad

 

Ingredients:

•  2-3 cans beans, your choice.  (I used black, dark red kidney and black eyed peas)
• 4 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, any color
• 2-3 plum tomatoes diced
• red onion chopped (I left this out as my husband doesn't like onions)
• fresh sweet corn or 1 bag of frozen sweet corn

 

Dressing:

•  1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp garlic
• 1 tsp. oregano

Enjoy!  If you try the recipe, let me know how you liked it.

 

 

 

 

 

Daybook

FOR TODAY

 

 

Outside my window... it is cloudy and chilly this morning. 

I am hearing...  an audio book of Across Five Aprils and the windchime outside.

I am thinking ...  that I am not ready to be cold all the time.  :) 

I am thankful for ...

• that the insomnia I had been experiencing over the last month is over and for almost a week of restful sleep.
• For our new piano.  Thank you, mom.
• A wonderful evening last Friday with friends at a ladies tea and gathering.
• How much my husband loves me.  
• Delicious smelling candles

In the kitchen... I made a delicious raw mexican 3 bean salad to eat throughout the week.  It can also be eaten heated and with rice.  Recipe coming tomorrow.  I am also going to pickle eggs.  I've never done this but Scott likes them so I thought I would give it a try.

I am wearing... a long jean skirt, a coral colored shirt and sweater, knee high socks and my crocks in the house.

I am creating... a list of deep cleaning chores to be done and breaking them up into weekly tasks. 

I am going... to enjoy the rest of my coffee and start spelling with Andrew

I am praying for ...   The up coming elections.

I am reading...  Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George.  It was the 2nd Christian book I bought after becoming a Christian.  I first read it in April of 1999. 

I am hoping... to get Andrew's birthday plans and menu planned by mid-week.  I'm thinking about a "game" theme.  Andrew's favorite game is Monopoly so I'd like to do something fun with that.

I am looking forward to... some time to crochet this afternoon.

I am learning... about Thomas Edison with the boys as we read aloud each day.  We've had some good discussions about character as we've read.

Around the house... Andrew is holding his cat and eating a snack, Christopher is reading the Bronze Bow on the couch and Jonathan is working on Science.

I am pondering...  Philippians 4:8 and learning to think of those things that are true (real).

A favorite quote for today...

 

“The all-victorious Christ is like a great rock in a weary land, to whose shelter we may flee in every time of sorrow or trial, finding quiet refuge and peace in him.”
―  J.R. Miller

 

One of my favorite things...  date nights with my sweetie.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  A trip to the vet's office, library and guitar lessons.  I also need to call and schedule to have our new piano tuned. 

A peek into my day...  Our new "baby"  * Chloe *

 

 

 

This post is linked at A Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thoughtful Thursday

 

"Be Still and know that I am God..." 

Psalm 46:10a

Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about Being Still - He has brought the verse from Psalm 46:10 to mind in many different ways over the last few weeks; in His Word, through a devotional book, 2 different songs, a friend sharing it with me and a sermon I listened to online.

There are so many things to be busy with aren't there?  Both physically and in mind.  Piano and guitar lessons, homeschool co-op gym time, hobbies, books to read, holidays to prepare for, chores, Bible study, etc.   A lot of those things can be good things but there can be other things that burden and worry us, thus keeping our mind busy.  The upcoming elections, maybe our finances, our children, extended family relationships, worries over health concerns, etc. 

Can you see why God would want us to "be still and know that He is God?"  He is God over all of those things!  Being still before Him in the midst of all these things is a surrender and trust.  Knowing who God is and what He is calling us to, will help us to be obedient to His word and His plan and purposes for us.

Over the last month I've been battling with anxiety and insomnia.  My health has been very fragile and I've been sick often.  Am I over committed?  Am I stretched beyond where He wants?  Am I being disobedient or neglectful of His leading, leaning more to what I want or desire to do?  These are some of the questions I've been asking myself along with asking for wisdom, guidance and strength to follow His leading. 

A former pastor's wife once shared some advice at our monthly ladies Bible study in regards to helping us examine our busyness.  Obviously there are daily things we must do which might not fit within these questions as well as many more questions we could ask, but it is a good place to start, especially when we are looking at participating in activities that take us out of the home.  I pray that they might be a help to you as well.

The Right Questions to Ask:

 

~ Will it strengthen my faith and help me love Jesus more?

~ Will it advance me in my warfare against sin?

~ Will it help me be fore resolved to pray?

~Will it embolden my witness?

 

Have a wonderful Thursday, friends.  I leave you with the following encouragement:

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

Colossians 3:1-2