This morning I found myself remembering something my dad used to say when I was a little girl.
If I woke from a bad dream, he would come in, sit beside me, and gently say,
“Think happy thoughts.”
Isn’t it beautiful how the Lord often plants truth in our lives long before we even recognize it?
In Philippians 4:8 we are reminded:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”
What we dwell on shapes the atmosphere of our hearts… and our homes.
When our thoughts turn anxious, the whole house can feel unsettled.
But when we choose what is good, peaceful, and grateful, something quiet and steady begins to grow.
In the kitchen, it looks like cooking with patience instead of hurry.
In the garden, it looks like tending small growth with hope.
In the home, it looks like choosing gentleness over tension.
We don’t ignore life’s hard things — but we do choose where our minds come to rest.
Even now, I can almost hear my dad’s voice:
Think happy thoughts.
And maybe, in the wisdom of Scripture, that’s exactly what the Lord has been telling us all along.
May your home be filled with peaceful thoughts today.
One of the things I loved about reading the Old Testament is how often the words seem to reach forward in time, pointing quietly toward the life of Christ.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote words that Christians have long understood as a glimpse of the suffering and sacrifice that would one day bring salvation.
“He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…
He was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:3–5
Every year during Holy Week, when I watch the story of the crucifixion, I find it hard not to cry. The suffering that Jesus endured is painful to witness, even centuries later. The physical pain is difficult enough to see, but what often touches me most is the rejection he experienced.
He was betrayed, denied, abandoned, and misunderstood. Those who had once followed him scattered in fear, and even his closest friends could not stay with him in his darkest hour.
Yet this is also why the story of Christ speaks so deeply to the human heart.
When we experience moments of rejection, when we feel hurt, abandoned, or misunderstood by others — even by those closest to us — we can remember that Jesus walked that path before us. He understands the sorrow and loneliness that sometimes come with being human.
But the story does not end at the cross.
Easter morning reminds us that suffering and sorrow are not the final word. The tomb was found empty, and hope rose where grief once stood.
The resurrection tells us that God’s love is stronger than rejection, stronger than sorrow, and stronger even than death itself.
May this Easter morning bring peace to your heart and light to your home.
I came across a quote this week from Charles Dickens, written long ago, and yet it felt as though it could have been written for today.
It spoke about the difference between those in high places and the ordinary citizens who quietly hold to what is right.
“The American elite is almost beyond redemption. . . . Moral relativism has set in so deeply that the gilded classes have become incapable of discerning right from wrong. Everything can be explained away, especially by journalists. Life is one great moral mush–sophistry washed down with Chardonnay. The ordinary citizens, thank goodness, still adhere to absolutes…. It is they who have saved the republic from creeping degradation while their ‘betters’ were derelict.”
And it made me pause.
Because while the world changes—faster, louder, more complex—something deeper does not.
There have always been moments when wrong is excused, explained away, or hidden behind influence and position.
But there have also always been people…
ordinary people…
who simply choose to do what is right.
Not for recognition.
Not for power.
But because it is right.
And when I think about what truly holds a family together…
what strengthens a home…
what steadies a nation…
It is not wealth.
It is not influence.
It is not status.
It is goodness.
It is integrity.
It is the quiet, daily choice to live rightly.
Scripture reminds us:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34
Not loud righteousness.
Not public righteousness.
But the steady, faithful kind lived out in everyday lives.
And perhaps that is more powerful than we realize.
Because in the end, it is not the few at the top who determine the strength of a people…
It is perhaps those same ordinary, faithful people who quietly hold things together—one day, one choice at a time.
Sunday Reflection | The Ordinary Choices That Build a Lifetime
Today after Mass, Dennis and I shared a special brunch at one of our family’s favorite places. As we sat together, memories came rushing back of bringing Zach and Livvy there when they were little. They loved walking through the buffet, carefully choosing what they wanted on their plates, and watching their excitement always made us smile.
It was a simple meal, but it became much more than that because of the sermon we had just heard.
Today our priest recognized a couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. His message wasn’t that sixty years had been easy. Quite the opposite. He spoke about the ordinary struggles every family faces—health concerns, financial pressures, raising children, disappointments, unexpected turns in life—and how lasting marriages are built one day at a time.
His words stayed with me:
Every day they chose each other.
Every day they chose Christ to walk beside them.
Those words touched my heart because Dennis and I find ourselves in one of those ordinary—but difficult—seasons right now.
An unexpected knee injury has led us down a path we never anticipated. We’ve spent the past weeks discussing surgery, recovery, stairs in our home, physical therapy, and how to safely navigate the weeks ahead. None of these are conversations we wanted to have, yet they are part of the journey we have been given.
As I looked across the table today, I realized that love is often found in these very moments.
It is found in making difficult decisions together.
It is found in encouraging one another when the future feels uncertain.
It is found in choosing patience instead of frustration.
It is found in trusting that even when we cannot see the entire path ahead, God already can.
Looking back over the years, I realize our marriage has never been defined by the easy seasons. It has been strengthened through the difficult ones. We have faced joys and sorrows, celebrations and disappointments, unexpected diagnoses, and countless ordinary days that no one else ever sees.
Through it all, one thing has remained constant.
Jesus has walked beside us.
Not because life has been free from hardship, but because His presence has carried us through it.
Perhaps that is what a faithful marriage truly is—not the absence of storms, but two people continuing to hold each other’s hand while trusting the One who calms the waves.
Today’s brunch was a reminder that even in difficult seasons, it is good to pause, to laugh together, to remember happy family moments, and to thank God for the blessings that still surround us.
The ordinary choices we make each day may seem small.
But over time, they become a lifetime.
May we continue to choose kindness, faith, forgiveness, gratitude, and one another.
And above all, may we continue to choose Christ, who faithfully walks with us through every season.
As we begin a new week, may we remember that the strongest homes are not built on perfect days, but on ordinary choices made with love, grace, and faith. And may we never forget that Christ walks beside us through every season.
“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12
Many people dream of escaping to a quiet cabin beside a lake.
We imagine that peace lives somewhere else—far from traffic, noise, schedules, obligations, and the constant demands of daily life. We tell ourselves that if only we could find the right place, then we would finally feel at rest.
Henry David Thoreau went to Walden Pond searching for a simpler life. His writings have inspired generations of people to slow down, notice more, and live intentionally.
But over the years, I’ve come to believe that the greatest lesson of Walden may not have been about the pond at all.
It was about learning to notice.
Most of us cannot move to a cabin in the woods. We have homes to care for, meals to prepare, laundry baskets to fold, and people who depend on us.
Yet peace is still available.
A pot of herbs growing on a deck.
A comfortable chair by a window.
A faithful dog sleeping nearby.
A favorite book resting on the table.
A cup of coffee enjoyed before the house wakes up.
Birdsong playing softly in the background.
A candle glowing on a winter evening.
A simple meal shared with someone we love.
These things may seem small, but small things have a way of becoming a sanctuary.
I have learned that creating your own Walden Pond is not a hard thing to do.
It is an intentional thing to do.
Peace rarely arrives because of a change of address. More often, it arrives because of a change in attention.
We begin to notice the beauty already around us.
We stop rushing past the ordinary moments.
We create little pockets of calm in our homes and in our days.
That, in many ways, is the heart of Rosemary Thyme.
Not perfection.
Not luxury.
Not a larger house.
Simply learning to fall in love with home again.
Wherever you live, whatever season of life you are in, perhaps this week you can create a small Walden Pond of your own—a quiet corner, a peaceful habit, a simple moment of gratitude.
You may discover that peace was never as far away as you thought.
🌿 Citrus Chili Grilled Chicken 🌿 Easy to Prepare • Budget-Friendly • Alcohol-Free
I recently saw Ina Garten prepare a wonderfully bright Tequila Lime Chicken with fresh citrus, chili powder, and jalapeños. It inspired me to create an alcohol-free Rosemary Thyme version using orange, lemon, and lime juices with a little chicken broth in place of the tequila.
The citrus makes the chicken fresh and flavorful, while chili powder adds gentle warmth. Tamed jarred jalapeños provide an optional touch of Tex-Mex flavor without overwhelming heat—and I can simply leave them out of my portion.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ½ cup unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon honey or agave 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped tamed jarred jalapeños, drained and rinsed, optional ¼ teaspoon salt, optional Fresh cilantro or parsley and citrus wedges, for serving
Directions
Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper and gently pound the thicker portions until the breasts are an even thickness.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, jalapeños, and optional salt.
Reserve about ¼ cup of the clean marinade for brushing or serving. Refrigerate it separately.
Place the chicken in a shallow covered container or resealable food-storage bag. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and turn the pieces until evenly coated.
Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours. The chicken may be prepared the evening before, but avoid marinating it much longer than 8 hours because the citrus can begin to change the chicken’s texture.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before grilling. Discard the marinade that held the raw chicken.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken for approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Brush lightly with the reserved clean marinade, if desired, and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and citrus wedges.
This cheerful citrus chicken would be delicious with brown rice, grilled corn, black beans, or a crisp garden salad. Any leftovers can be sliced for tacos, wraps, or salads the following day.
Helene Rosemary Thyme 🌿 Fall In Love With Home Again 💛🏡
Economical • Easy to Prepare • No Hot Kitchen • No Grill Required
Labor Day weekend calls for something festive and delicious—but it certainly doesn’t require standing outside over a hot grill!
This Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork is wonderfully tender, flavorful and incredibly easy to prepare. Pork shoulder is an economical cut that feeds a family generously, and the slow cooker keeps the kitchen comfortable while doing nearly all the work.
Pile the pork onto soft buns and top it with fresh homemade coleslaw for an easy Labor Day meal everyone can enjoy. Any leftovers will be delicious in sandwiches, baked potatoes, quesadillas or rice bowls later in the week.
SLOW COOKER APPLE CIDER PULLED PORK
Makes 8–10 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 8–9 hours on low
INGREDIENTS
• 3½–4-pound boneless pork shoulder or pork butt • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • ¼ teaspoon salt, or less if desired • ¾ cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • ½ cup homemade or reduced-sodium barbecue sauce, plus more for serving • 8–10 whole-grain, brioche or slider buns • Fresh homemade coleslaw, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Trim any very large pieces of exterior fat from the pork, leaving a little to help keep the meat tender and flavorful.
In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, sweet paprika, thyme, black pepper and salt.
Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the pork.
Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker.
In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the apple cider, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour the apple-cider mixture around the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours, or until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
Transfer the pork to a platter. Shred it with two forks, removing any remaining large pieces of fat.
Carefully skim the excess fat from the cooking liquid. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker.
Stir in ½ cup barbecue sauce. Add a little of the cooking liquid as needed to keep the pork moist and juicy.
Cover and cook for another 15–20 minutes, until everything is warmed through.
Spoon the pulled pork onto buns and top with fresh homemade coleslaw. Serve additional barbecue sauce on the side.
Easy, economical and made without heating up the kitchen—just the kind of relaxed holiday cooking I love! 🍎🌿
Helene Rosemary Thyme 🌿 Fall In Love With Home Again 💛🏡
When Dennis and I were having breakfast at First Watch one day, I ordered scrambled eggs with chicken-apple sausage patties.
I remember thinking they were very good—but I could probably make them even better at home! I could use fresh apple and plenty of herbs, and I could definitely make them with much less sodium.
These homemade patties are tender, gently sweet and filled with the warm flavors of sage, thyme and just a touch of maple syrup. They contain no onion or garlic, so Dennis can enjoy them too.
Makes 8 small patties
Ingredients
• 1 pound ground chicken, preferably 92–93% lean • ½ cup peeled apple, finely grated • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage • ½ teaspoon dried thyme • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon • Tiny pinch of nutmeg • ¼ teaspoon salt, or omit for an especially low-sodium version • 1 tablespoon oat flour or plain breadcrumbs, only if needed • Olive oil spray or a small amount of olive oil for the skillet
Directions
Peel and finely grate the apple. Gently squeeze out some of the excess juice, but do not squeeze it completely dry.
Place the ground chicken, grated apple, maple syrup, olive oil, sage, thyme, fennel, black pepper, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a mixing bowl.
Mix gently with a fork or clean hands just until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overworking the chicken so the patties remain tender.
If the mixture seems too soft to shape, stir in 1 tablespoon of oat flour or plain breadcrumbs.
Divide the mixture into 8 portions. With slightly damp hands, shape each portion into a patty about ½-inch thick.
Refrigerate the patties for 15–20 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape.
Lightly coat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Heat over medium to medium-low heat.
Cook the patties for 4–5 minutes on the first side. Carefully turn them and cook for another 4–5 minutes, or until nicely browned and the centers reach 165°F.
Allow the patties to rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
The grated apple and olive oil help keep the chicken moist, while the herbs give these patties that familiar savory breakfast-sausage flavor. With only ¼ teaspoon of salt in the entire recipe, they are much lower in sodium than most prepared or restaurant sausage.
Serve them with scrambled eggs, whole-grain toast and fresh fruit for a delicious homemade breakfast. They can also be cooked ahead and frozen for busy mornings.
Sometimes the best recipes begin with a good restaurant meal—and the thought, “I believe I can make this even better at home.” 💛
Helene Rosemary Thyme 🌿 Fall In Love With Home Again 💛🏡
Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until smooth.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring periodically, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have blended.
Taste and adjust as desired. Add a little more honey or brown sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or cayenne for heat.
Use immediately or allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to a covered jar.
Rosemary Thyme Notes
The sauce will thicken a little more as it cools.
For a completely smooth sauce, blend it briefly after cooling.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
When using it on the grill, brush it onto meat during the final few minutes so its natural sugars do not burn.
Using no-salt-added tomato sauce and leaving out the optional salt keeps this considerably lower in sodium than most bottled barbecue sauces. 🌿
This unexpected—and truly unwanted—heat wave calls for dinners that don’t heat up the kitchen! This easy crockpot barbecue chicken uses organic chicken breasts and a quick homemade sauce made with ingredients I nearly always have on hand.
It’s tangy, lightly sweet, and much lower in sodium than most bottled barbecue sauces.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed • 1 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar • 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar—or brown Swerve • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • ½ teaspoon onion powder • ½ teaspoon garlic powder • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • ¼ teaspoon salt, optional • Pinch of cayenne, optional
DIRECTIONS
Place the thawed chicken breasts in the crockpot.
In a bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey or sweetener, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, optional salt, and cayenne.
Pour the homemade barbecue sauce over the chicken, turning the chicken once to coat it well.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, just until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Begin checking at about three hours so the chicken breasts don’t become dry.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks.
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the barbecue sauce.
Cover and warm for another 10–15 minutes before serving.
ROSEMARY THYME NOTE
If the sauce is thinner than you prefer, leave the crockpot uncovered on HIGH for about 15 minutes after shredding the chicken.
Serve it on whole-grain buns, over baked potatoes, or tucked into lettuce cups. Add fresh homemade coleslaw and sliced watermelon for an easy summer supper—without turning on the oven!
In the kitchen, it looks like cooking with patience instead of hurry.
