Juggling Act!!!

We have all heard tips on time management and how to get the MOST from our 24 hours a day. Today, for my time, SLOPPY JOES are the remedy..... before we go any further here, let me begin by saying that I do NOT encourage sloppiness generally.
However, some days seem like the scene from the Cat in the Hat book when he is balancing all kinds of things on his hat and in his arms and standing on the ball and the cat says,"'But that is not all. Oh no. That is not all...' That is what the cat said...Then he fell on his head! He came down with a bump from up there on the ball and Sally and I, we saw ALL the things fall!"

Cat in the Hat by Mary Mace

This kind of juggling reminds me of the biblical account of Mary and Martha from Luke 10. Martha was so concerned about balancing all the preparations that she "fell on her head!" - she neglected what was MOST important -. "Martha, Martha... you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better..." Mary was listening at His feet.
I sure have days when I have volunteered to juggle more than I really can manage, and in those fretful moments when the dishes are piled high in the sink with the dishwasher full and the kids are still doing schoolwork at 4 PM, and the laundry pile is falling over, and I still haven't had a shower, and guests are arriving in less than 3 minutes to meet the baby and......the list goes on and on....

in those moments when I feel overwhelmed, if i remember to take my concerns to the Lord and ask for His direction in completing what needs to be done for the day, I can sense Him saying, "Tonya, Tonya- you are worried about too many little things.. Just one thing is needed - lean on and listen to Me!!!!!"
He reassures me that no one is coming to judge the cleanliness of my table, or the gleam on my floors (which DO need waxing!!!) but there is someone who is always evaluating the condition of my heart and whether or not I am abiding in Him....those things are of utmost importance. When I take the time to incline my heart to Him, in the end I am a better wife, mom, and host.

So, if today is one of those days, FEAR NOT!!!!!
My Pastor says there are 365 instances of that phrase in the Bible. One for every day of the year!!!!
I needed that!!!God knows me so well!!!
So again, I repeat, "Fear not!!!!" Sloppy Joes were made for days like these!!
This is the quickest recipe in my cooking repertoire. It requires a distinguished array of  the freshest ingredients (NOT).....
and about 10 minutes cooking time!!!!

here are the ingredients...

don't forget the BUNS!!!!

If you wanted to, you could add REAL chopped onions!!!! I like REAL chopped onions, but I had no time for such a tear-jerking event! You might add any number of ingredients to VASTLY improve the flavor of this dish, but you will not improve on its speed....and my family quickly consumes it too!!!!

So here goes!First mush (u as in "push", not u as in "plum"- thanks!) 1 lb. of  ground beef with a little water in a frying pan to separate it completely.

you may have to scramble them around like a magic trick...

While the meat is cooking, lightly (not really) butter your buns and throw them on a warm griddle - or similar cooking contraption) to get the edges nice and brown...a little crispness in the Joe adds texture!!

Then drain the liquid....My mom would tell you it's all just water, but trust me - it is NOT all water!!!!

This is my favorite strainer, John got it for me years ago from a little thrift store in Pasadena

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Then  add the rest of the ingredients:
...a good 1/2 to 3/4 cup of ketchup...or catsup...whichever you have on hand
a teaspoon of regular mustard (again- get fancy if you like!)
a tablespoon of dried minced onion
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/3 scant cup-ish of brown sugar- i like things pretty sweet, so you may want to decrease that amount according to your taste-  which brings us to the ever-essential salt and pepper!!!!
.....then- you are ready to assemble!!!!! remember the point is to leave time for things that are truly important....talk (or listen ) to the Lord, look your little ones in the eyes as they tell the loooong version of their story...chat with your man....you get the idea!!!!!

Throw together a quick salad, just so it looks like a well-balanced meal and sit down and relax with the family. You can't get everything done in one day!Most of that stuff will be there tomorrow...and the next day!!!! My kids are growing up too fast!

 see you all tomorrow - we'll be making onion bread!!!!!!