LITTLE BIG THINGS; Coalinga-CA

Truly = grateful for this day.

Brrr … grab your coffee and stay warm! 🔥☕️🥶

It's cold: 35-degrees.

Hot coffee on a cold morning is sheer bliss … and hot coffee is good for asthma, too - it helps relax the muscles around the airwaves & reduces chest tightness = I get to breathe a little easier. Big plus 👍

My asthma is acting up 😟; yesterday was pretty sketchy. I mostly slept a lot 🛌, whistled when I breathed, spit mucus so much Holland & I laughed and swapped hillbilly woman jokes; even though I could barely speak 2 words without running out of energy ⛽️ I was exhausted 😒 all day long.

Staying alive is hard work 🔌

All my Life.

Holland's COPD is new to him, so coming to terms with limitations frustrates him. A lot. But, I've struggled to breathe all my Life. I've learned to live with death so long … I only know how to live, and make every second of every Day count for maximum benefit.

Yesterday. Holland drove into downtown Coalinga, to exchange empty propane tanks for full ones; & exchanged my winning cards for new ones - I don't win big, but revealing a winning line makes me smile. It's a small pleasure.

Yesterday, he came home bearing gifts. He is a good man despite the macho bad boy persona: and, in all the ways that count, he is good for ME - he is always thinking of me, even when straining against restraints.

While he was gone, I prepped for tonight's supper & emptied the remaining garlic-honey I had in a quart jar, into a smaller pint jar - that was all the energy I could afford to expend.

Cooling baked potatoes to cube; thawing frozen turkey meat. And I scooped my remaining Garlic Honey into a pint jar, from a quart jar.

Daily reminder = every Day. And it's good to have a man in my Life that understands, and says on bad days … "Lemon Laws do not apply" ♥️

My goal today is to enjoy morning coffee, breathe easier 🌬️ & be grateful 🙏 for another Day's extension on a Life to enjoy with my husband 💎🦁 - who brings out the best (as well as the worst, sometimes) in this Life we have been gifted to live 💞 - it is never boring 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Life is a gift ✨  that neither of us take for granted: by the sheer grace of Almighty God ☝️, both of us have beat the odds so far 🤞

Even when it hurts …

We were hoping time would favor us, and my lungs would cooperate ✌️ so we could enjoy a Day out-of-house 🚘🎶; but that did not happen

And that's okay. There is always tomorrow.

Today, we enjoyed together time, in-house; while I monitored oxygen intake and slowly regained lagging energy (I was able to work a couple rows on MOD over-size afghan, in progress) … and we ate a comfort-food-casserole for supper in our small, comfy home.

In all things I trust Elohim's Plan for my life & Yeshua's healing power.

I just celebrated 69 years on Earth.

December 2025; Coalinga-CA

My life has been enriched by the love of 2 men Elohim placed in it.

I wake up every Day: even if I go to bed sometimes wondering which side of heaven I'll wake up on.

Elohim has been good to me all my Life & I am grateful for Yeshua's hand of blessing over me - I know He has the power to heal … I've seen Him do it, other areas of my body have been miraculously healed: why my body continues to struggle with asthma, only Elohim knows: I never question His Will.

Where once love was stripped from my Life … it now flourishes - granted, sometimes with struggle also; but it also continues to waken every Day.

I can truly say my Life is blessed.

And I am grateful.

When I lay down & rise up, I feel highly honored & greatly blessed.

Truly.

Despite the struggles, my Life really is a very good one.

Monitoring, crafting, & watching a Gene Hackman movie.

Baked Turkey Casserole; with garlic bread on the side.

VAL'S BAKED TURKEY, POTATO & BROCCOLI CASSEROLE Recipe; Coalinga-CA: 

(https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/01/vals-baked-turkey-potato-broccoli.html)

The little things are really big things 😘

VAL'S BAKED TURKEY, POTATO & BROCCOLI CASSEROLE Recipe; Coalinga-CA

This casserole 🦃🥧 is a welcome comfort food on a cold day … and it is cold here in CA: 35-degrees this morning 🥶

There is only the 2 of us, so a whole turkey - cooked whole in the Insta-pot (Independence's RV oven is very small), broke down & frozen, will go a long way 😉

4x Beast Betsy & 5th Wheel Independence ~ 2025

This casserole recipe was found online (not sure where; I was scrolling online 💻 & saving to phone for reference 📱); but I did deviate 🤔  from the original recipe in regards to using turkey meat, olive oil, & a sour cream adjustment - because my body is lactose intolerant.

My husband, who also cooks, always used whole milk products - but, he is getting used to the alternatives necessary ✍️ in food prep that settles well with my stomach, and does not cause chaos with my sensitive digestive system.

Creativity is the name of the game in our kitchen 👨‍🍳 

My asthma was acting up yesterday 😒; so, between coughing and inhaler-induced napping, I prepared my ingredients ahead of time and set them aside (refrigerating some) until supper preparation, tonight. It was extra work yesterday … but made for easy-peasy cooking, today 😁

Cool baked potatoes to cube; thaw frozen turkey meat.

Broccoli florets, chopped garlic, & sliced onion.

#NOTE: My recipe calls for half measures because we are only 2

Val's Baked Turkey, Potato & Broccoli Casserole

Val's Baked Turkey, Potato & Broccoli Casserole ~3 servings

2 c. precooked Turkey meat, cubed * 1-1/2 c. Broccoli florets, fresh or frozen * 1-1/2 medium Baked Potatoes, cubed * 1/2 White Onion, chopped * 1 Garlic clove, chopped * 1/4 c. Sour Cream substitute * 1 TBSP Olive Oil (for sautéing) * Salt & Black pepper, ground, to taste * 1/4 tsp. Paprika powder * 1/2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded * 1/2 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded (I used 1 pkg. string cheese) * Optional: 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs for topping (I used cornbread stuffing breadcrumbs)

1 Cutting Board * 1 Lrg. Kitchen Knife * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 medium-size Skillet * Lrg. Cooking Spoon * Lrg. Mixing Bowl * 9-inch Baking Pan

1) Bake the potatoes until soft, then cool completely (you can also microwave them for 10 - 12 minutes): cube them (I left the skins on).

Cool baked potatoes to cube; thaw frozen precooked turkey meat.

2) Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cut broccoli into bite-size florets. Chop the garlic. Slice the onion.

A large garlic clove, chopped chunky; we like our garlic.

Broccoli florets, chopped garlic, & sliced onion.

In a medium-size skillet, sauté the broccoli, garlic, & onion in oil until onion is translucent, and broccoli is bright & tender.

Sauté veggies in oil …

3) Stir in sour cream or cream cheese or sour cream substitute along with spice seasonings; stir, and blend until smooth sauce thickens & veggies are warmed through.

4) In a large bowl, gently fold together the chicken, potatoes, and creamy vegetable sauce - carefully ensuring everything is evenly coated for consistent flavor.

Turkey & Potatoes.

Combine meat, veggies, & sauce; place in baking pan (I use foil in my pan because I like easy clean-up).

5) Lightly grease the baking pan, & place the sauced meat mixture into it:  sprinkle the cheese blend evenly on top & optional breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy topping.

Shred Cheddar Cheese & Mozzarella Cheese into spaghetti strings …

And blend together.

Roll the dried bread cubes into very fine crumbs.

Spread cheese & breadcrumbs over top - place in oven.

6) Slip into oven & bake casserole until melted cheese is bubbly and golden brown: about 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven, set on hot pads & let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Baked Turkey, Potato, & Broccoli Casserole; with garlic bread on the side.

My husband likes this recipe as it was (he's pulling the leftovers from the 'fridge to reheat & chow down on - now, as I post this recipe 😉); but, in all honestly, I found this recipe to be a little too dry for my taste: next time I will add a light gravy to the mix: it will be easier to swallow with a sore throat.

A HIRELING IS NOT OBSERVANT: Coalinga-CA

We are living in a time of unprecedented global upheaval. From the capture of Maduro in Venezuela and the ongoing, brutal war between Russia and Ukraine, to the mass uprisings and crackdowns in Iran, and even the recent territorial tensions over Greenland - the world is shifting in ways we haven't seen in generations.

But here is my question: If your pastor is silent about these things from the pulpit, why?

The Bible doesn't tell us to ignore the "wars and rumors of wars." It tells us to look up, because our redemption draws near.

These aren't just political headlines; they are events with massive biblical implications. We are seeing the redrawing of borders, the rise of global instability, and the shaking of nations right before our eyes.

A shepherd’s job isn't just to comfort the flock, but to warn them. If we aren't hearing a biblical perspective on how these events align with prophecy and God’s sovereignty, we are being left unprepared for the world we actually live in. It’s time to start asking why the silence is so loud.

"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28

~End Time Headlines

*******************

Most people claiming to be shepherd's today, are nothing more than hirelings: the sheep are not their main concern … social status & $$$$$ are the main objective - they want the recognition without the honest labor, or Christ-like concern. They are wolves in disguise. And the sheep are wandering about in aimless pursuit; starved for meaty morsels, and easy pickings when the storms of Life roll in.

A hireling is a person who is hired or paid to do work, often in a negative context where they are motivated primarily by financial gain rather than genuine care or commitment. In the Bible, particularly in John 10:12-13, Jesus contrasts a true shepherd with a hireling, emphasizing that a shepherd cares for and protects his sheep, while a hireling flees at the first sign of danger for personal gain. The term serves as a cautionary reminder against pursuing self-interest and material gain at the expense of genuine service and devotion.

Too many people "going to church" and warming pews do not know Biblical prophecy - what was once standard teaching is no longer taught from the pulpits ("it's too divisive", and the Gospels and Epistles are rushed through focusing only on "the red letter paragraphs" & "love & light passages" by pastors either too ignorant of actual Biblical teaching - or lack spiritual guidance to understand meaty passages) and it is not taught in weekly Bible Studies ("we aren't here for that; it no longer applies").

Churches have become social clubs instead of learning centers.

FAFO~2026 Reality Check

Hey Tim Walz and Jacob Frey,

Oh bless your little progressive hearts. You’re out here dropping F-bombs like confetti, telling ICE to “get the f*** out” of Minneapolis, prepping the National Guard for “peaceful resistance,” and basically handing out permission slips for crowds to harass, impede, block, and turn federal officers into piñatas—all while clutching your pearls about “public safety” and “community advocacy.” Real classy. Real leadership.

But let’s play a game of Mirror, Mirror on the Wall—because hypocrisy this thick deserves its own funhouse reflection.

1.  What if a bunch of fed-up Minnesotans started tailing your motorcades every morning? Filming your kids’ school drop-offs, your coffee runs, your late-night nonprofit schmoozing sessions—live-streaming it all with captions like “Just holding our ‘leaders’ accountable”? Would that be brave community oversight, or would you suddenly discover the definition of stalking and scream “domestic terrorism” into the nearest microphone?

2.  Picture this: We organize flash mobs outside the Governor’s Mansion and City Hall. Hundreds blocking your doors, screaming in your faces, banging on windows while you’re “just trying to do your job” (you know, the one where you protect voter-import pipelines and shield billion-dollar fraud rings). Peaceful protest? Or felony-level obstruction and intimidation? Come on, boys—use your words. You taught us it’s fine when it’s your side.

3.  And the cherry on top: Local sheriffs decide, “Nah, we’re not cooperating with your state troopers anymore.” They roll up, form human chains around “vulnerable residents” (aka your political cronies), and tell your guys to pound sand when you try to enforce your latest grift-friendly edict. Heroic stand against tyranny? Or straight-up interfering with official duties? Bet you’d have the BCA, the FBI, and every alphabet agency on speed dial faster than Frey can drop an F-bomb.

4.  Bonus round: Things get “tense” at one of your next virtue-signaling pressers. Someone gets hurt in the scrum. Do you let federal investigators in for a clean, transparent probe? Or do you stonewall, spin a “garbage narrative,” and demand the feds leave town like you’re doing right now with that ICE shooting? We already know the answer—your playbook is written in double standards and taxpayer-funded ink.

You two clowns are inciting chaos, cheering on assaults that have spiked 1,300% against federal officers, and then acting shocked when the bill comes due. But when the tables turn? Suddenly it’s “law and order” and “protect our democracy”—oops, I mean our constitutional republic—from the very people you’re supposed to serve.

Newsflash: The American people see the racket. The fraud, the rigging, the selective outrage—it’s all on display. And come 2026, we’re not asking for permission to enforce the laws you’ve spent years ignoring. We’re cleaning house.

Sweat a little, fellas. The light’s coming on, and your shadows are getting shorter.

In Christ’s name, truth exposes every lie.

#ExposeTheSyndicate #ParrishForGovernor

Phillip C. Parrish

~Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026

********************

Yep … self-righteous political trolls DESERVE a little Patriot trolling - to even the score, you know?

To quote the obamanite deadbeats: "NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!"

FAFO

VAL'S SLOW COOKER HONEY-GARLIC BEEF STEW Recipe; Coalinga-CA

I woke up in the mood for beef stew 🥩🥣

I also wanted a change 🤔 from my usual beef stew recipe, and I wanted to make it an immune boosting meal ⚕️ … so, eyeballing the garlic infused honey 🧄🐝 on the counter; I decided to use some of that, with ingredients I pulled 🤞 from what I had in the pantry & in the 'fridge - and came up with this interesting version 👨‍🍳

The kitchen smelled SO GOOD 😋 while the stew simmered it's way to a nose-tantalizing, tongue-pleasing, deliciousness 😁

Val's Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Beef Stew, served with Homestyle Biscuits on the side.

Val's Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Beef Stew Recipe ~4 servings

1 lb. Beef Chuck, boneless & cut to 1-inch cubes * 1/2 c. Red Wine * 3/4 c. Beef Broth * 1/4 cup Honey * 3 sm. Mini Peppers * 1 Roma Tomato * 1/2 Yellow Onion, quartered * 2 sm. Shiitake Mushrooms, quartered * 2 med. Carrots, washed & sliced * 5 sm. Potatoes, rinsed & quartered * 1 sm. Zucchini squash, shredded * 4 cloves garlic, whole * 1-1/2 TBSP Flour * 1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning * 1 sm. Bay Leaf * Salt & Black Pepper, to taste (I use a salt substitute) * 1 TBSP. Parsley, chopped 

8-Qt. Slowcooker Crockpot; Manual Pull Food Chopper; 1 Vegetable Shredder-Grater; 1 Tea Ball (for Bay Leaf); Measuring Spoons; 1 Lrg. Pyrex Measuring Cup; 1 sm. Whisk; 1 Lrg. Cooking Spoon; Soup Bowls

Beef Stew Ingredients.

1) In the Pyrex cup - blend the wine, beef broth, & honey; set aside.

2) Place beef cubes in the slow cooker crock; add potatoes, carrots & garlic cloves.

Beef, potatoes, carrots & garlic.

3) Slice and seed the peppers & tomato - place inside the food chopper; add onion & mushrooms … slice to your desired preference; set aside.

Peppers, tomato, onion & mushrooms; chopped.

4) Shred zucchini: blend with chopped veggies - add to meat & vegetable mixture in crock. Blend well to incorporate crock mixture.

Shredded zucchini.

5) Add the flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and parsley, to the prepared liquid mixture … and add to crockpot medley. Put the bay leaf inside the tea ball and place in the center of the crockpot mixture. Place lid on top, and set temperature to HIGH.

6) In about 2 hours, reduce heat from High to LOW; cook another 4 hours.

3 YR ANNIVERSARY THOUGHTS; Coalinga-CA

January 2023~newly married.

So much has happened over the past 12 months 📅; it started out with several deaths (family and friends for both of us) - and those losses put a strain on an already challenging relationship … but with the wrapping up of December that ended with the surprising sudden death of his cousin Brenda … he quickly realized just how fragile life can be. He snapped to attention, and came to the realization that there isn't that much time left to quibble and squabble over things that really don't matter 🙄 in the grand scheme of things. He's understanding now that everything does not have to be a fight to be right 🤠😤 … it's okay to relax and let some things slide ✌️, for peace on the Homefront 💞🕊️

((((PRAISE THE LORD!)))) 🙏👏

That’s why he's decided not to waste any more time on "what if's" 🚧, and he's started not taking our limited amount of time on this Earth, for granted, saying, "Baby - we're living the best of our Life, visiting & seeing places and things most people never get to. If we don't like where we are, or who our neighbors are … we can just hook up, and go. I'm liking the retirement life: I can finally slow down long enough to enjoy the towns along the highways and byways; I never could do that before, racing between jobs, like I was. Each day counts. Each moment is a treasure. And now, that I've found you - you, who is my best of friends, who is a comfort and makes me glad I'm still alive, these are the important things in life. I could live another five, or ten years … maybe longer, who knows - and you could, too; but enjoying this life together, is what makes them worth living. I love you, Baby."

I'm glad he is learning to relax in our marital relationship 🥰

I feel a happy freedom with Holland, than I ever have with anyone else. Truth.

Year 3 is looking good, going forward 💝🦁😘

I'm glad that our friendship 🤝 has turned into something more 💖; I'm glad we both decided to "stick". Through thick & thin 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨