Rocking New Year's Eve Plans

We have enjoyed the most wonderful Christmas vacation the past few days. Our company left, I relaxed, and we've done a whole lot of nothing. And I mean nothing. I haven't made anyone pick up any toys. I haven't worried about picking anything up. We're still eating left-overs. And honestly, yesterday, I think my back was a little sore, because I had not gotten out of the recliner all day.

Oh, it has been a lovely vacation.

I realized as I began to blog that today is New Year's Eve. Don't worry, I have serious plans. Rocking Plans to be exact. I'll rock the recliner back as we watch a few more movies. I might possibly wander downstairs for a few rounds of Guitar Hero III. I have my title as worst player in the house to defend. I did finally score a "You Rock" last night. I should really try to rock out on my daughters DDR mat, but come on, that could make me sweat.

So, since I have our New Year's Eve plans in hand, it occurs to me that I should reflect upon 2007. That's going to require another cup of coffee....I'll be back.

Swedish Pancakes

Fourteen years my husband and I received a wedding gift that I wasn't quite sure how or if I would use. It was a flat electric griddle. I had grown up with an electric griddle with high sides for making country style steak and gravy, or sausage gravy, or even spaghetti sauce in a pinch. Gravy would pour off the sides of this gift. I thought maybe we'd return it and get a better one.

And then Hon's family introduced me to Swedish pancakes. They're flat, sweet, crepe like pancakes.

Obviously my dear, well used friend has seen better days. In fact the legs have been replaced twice, and trust me you can't scrub those spots off without completely scrubbing off the non-stick surface. I've tried. Also the cord heats up just about as hot as the griddle surface these days. Kinda dangerous when you have children who love to help flip pancakes.

Since last June I've had to prop a broken leg underneath while using it. Loads of fun, I tell you!

So, one of my gifts this year was from Hon and the children. And while they gave it to me, they noted on the card it was truly a gift that will keep giving to them.

My family is especially excited that I've made Swedish pancakes twice this week. Working with a broken leg had taken it's toll on the old griddle ,and it (make that me) was only up to the job about once a month. Here's our family's treasured recipe passed down from my Father-in-law's mother. I make the whole batch standing at the kitchen counter and then we eat together. My in-laws love to plug the griddle in beside the table while everyone sits in place waiting for pancakes. If you're lucky you get one pancake a batch. Eating breakfast this way still amazes me. I'm quite the rebel in making them all before bringing them to the table.

Swedish Pancakes

1 3/4 cups of milk
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tablespoons oil

Mix all ingredients together in a blender on medium. Scrape sides mix again on high. Cook on griddle. When top begins to look dry flip. Requires less time on second side. Serve with applesauce, maple syrup, or liggonberries. My kids love to roll them up and eat them plain.

The King Is Born

I'm still trying to figure out how to write about our Christmas, or maybe I should skip it entirely. I really wish I had some funny moments or pictures to share, but none come to mind. In the struggle to orchestrate the best Christmas ever for 7 adults and 4 kids, I really lost my Ho, Ho, Ho. Oh, everyone had a good time. I just made myself worry entirely too much about the stress of being the hostess.

There was one perfectly wonderful hour - The Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

This was the first year we've taken our kids to the Candlelight service. It was completely packed. The joy of singing hymns loudly in a packed church on Christmas Eve still makes my heart beat faster. Of course our kids LOVED the candles. I'm still laughing over what was used to protect us from candle drips - plastic champagne glasses without the base. They worked great.

Fred, my eldest, decided he would be the absolute last person to blow out his candle. He patiently outlasted the other 12 year old holdout in the balcony above us.

I wish I could remember more of the sermon. But I won't. What I will remember is the joy of celebrating our Savior's birth. And as I think back over our families' days together, that was about the time that peace showed up in our house, and I stopped worrying about pulling off a great Christmas and started enjoying the one we had.

The Quiet After the Storm

The last few relatives left earlier.

Dusk has arrived. Quiet has descended on our household. I can hear the washing machine churning and my children laughing.

My Christmas vacation is finally here.

Peace.

Counting Down the Days or Adding to My List?

My Christmas to do list is growing exponentially every minute I put it off and find 3 new things to add to it. I was going to leave a quick post and head off to start on it, but I decided to glance at a few of my favorite blogs.

Big mistake.

I saw cute decorations and thought,

"Oh, I could totally do that."

Except I haven't finished the other 42 projects that I totally thought I could do. And the relatives start arriving in 3 days. And I haven't finished Christmas shopping. And my husband asked me to take his car in to be inspected and have the oil changed today. And...

I'm beginning to hyperventilate.

Whew!!! The spirit of Christmas craziness got me there for a minute. I'm going to go finish a project for my daughter before she wakes. If you'd like to enjoy some beautiful Holiday decorations click over to BooMama's Christmas Tour. Just remember - I am totally sure someone hyperventilated over those decorations or trying to get the pictures posted on their blog.

Me - I'll be running around in my sweats all day with a list in my hand. If you see me with lights in my hands trying to improve our outdoor lights, please pour me a drink and lead me to a quiet, dark room. I must not let this get out of hand.

Reality Check

I spoke too soon.

You know what that means.

Sunday, mid-afternoon, I was talking to my dear friend as she was frantic about the holidays. She had come to the realization that this year was going to be like every other year. As much as she wants a calm, peaceful Christmas - the busyness and stress were getting to her, and she could see just more of the same for the next week and a half.

Me - oh, I said I was fine. The tree had been sitting in our house for a week without being decorated, and it was no problem. I have 6 relatives coming for 6 days - no problem. The shopping wasn't finished - no problem. It would be what it would be.

Uh, yeah, that lasted another 2 hours - when suddenly the reality of the tree, all I have to do in the next week, and the fact that we've had something every night for 2 weeks already with a full week in front of us crashed down on me. And then the Tree lights were tangled...

I called my friend back and said,

"I spoke too soon."

Now Featured on News 4

Well, I've had my 3 minutes of fame (more like 15 seconds). I'm sure the paparazzi will be bursting from the bushes to take my picture as I try to take my children to school this morning.

Oh, how I jest.

Actually, I'm more sure some sort of make-over TV crew will kidnap me to teach me to wear lipstick at all times. And I would really appreciate that tutorial.

A friend and I did a little Christmas shopping at Tyson's Corner yesterday. While shopping we were asked to be interviewed for the evening news. Amid much giggling we agreed. Apparently there's some kind of winter storm coming to the area this weekend, (it was news to me - hee, hee) and people are taking off work to Christmas shop. I being "from the South" said I'd finish shopping next week. We failed to mention that we don't have paying jobs and can pretty much shop every day the kids are in school next week. We didn't think it would lend any credibility to our interview. What with the frenzy over the storm and everything.

I probably should have mentioned my non-shopping woes and avoided the air time. My brief time as a TV-news-mall-shopping-celebrity has taught me two things.

1. I need to find a fail proof stay all day lipstick, or at least reapply it occasionally.
2. I need to look into teeth whitening.

What with all the rest I was talking about having yesterday, I'm sure I can fit those two things into my busy schedule.

Getting a Christmas Cactus to Bloom

How hard is it to take a picture of a Christmas Cactus bloom? Apparently, almost as hard as getting one to bloom.

I've had a Christmas Cactus for years. I inherited it from my friend Lynne when she moved out of town; she had inherited it from a friend who had moved out of town. For sentimental reasons I couldn't pass it on, so it made the trip to NOVA with us.

Last year it bloomed beautifully and a month before Christmas as always. We had decided it was actually a Thanksgiving Cactus years ago. However, this year Thanksgiving came and went, and I noticed the blooms weren't even starting. Hmmm...

It turns out that the Christmas or even Thanksgiving Cactus needs cooler temperatures and 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness each night to stimulate blooming. Indirect sunlight and little humidity also help. I'd been ignoring this plant for years and doing the right things. We moved, I continued to ignore it, but...we placed it near a lamp we keep on as a night light. Ooops.

I did what I feel anyone with an extra $12 would have done. I bought a cactus on the verge of blossoming and moved my tired cactus to a nice, cool, dark room. I may get blooms on my old friend yet.

You know this got me thinking (why else would I be posting for paragraph after paragraph about a cactus). Rest - physical, mental, spiritual - is an important part of life. Not essential. My Christmas cactus is still limping along. But for us to bloom in life, to do what God created us to do, we need rest and care. That is part of God's plan.

God created us knowing our every need and the desires that would help that need and sometimes get in the way. We can burn the midnight oil and do just fine...for a season or two, but eventually we'll be unable to do it all unless we get that essential rest.

I've been very embarrassed to admit that I'm getting some rest in this season of my life. I love this season of my life. I spent years running around doing all I or even a couple of people could accomplish in a day. Wife, mom of 3 under 9, grad school, teaching school and Sunday school, volunteering, full social life...I look back at that time now and shake my head. Yet, I still feel guilty for this rest period God has granted me. I wonder if I should be doing more. More what??? Every time I consider filling up the extra time I think I have, my current life fills every spare moment, and I thank God for that reminder.

He reminds me that being a wife and a mom is enough. Seeking to know and love the Lord is enough. And most importantly, trusting in the Lord to show me what to do next is exactly what I need to bloom.

Here a Glove, There a Glove

My Works for Me Wednesday tip this week is one of my favorite bits of organization ever. EVER!!!



Do you have that basket of gloves and hats in your closet? Does the sight of snow initially make you jump in joy and then wallow on the floor because you know the kids will throw gloves, hats, and scarves everywhere looking for two gloves that match or even fit? I finally solved that problem at my house.



TA-DA

I use a clear shoe organizer to store our gloves, hats, and scarves. The kids can find their gloves all by themselves, usually without all the rest of the gloves thrown on the floor. And that my friend is a little slice of heaven.

My laundry room/mud room is very small as you can see. There's just enough room behind the door from the garage for hooks for backpacks and coats. This is the door to the kitchen (which usually stands wide open). The gloves are out of sight, yet organized and ready to do their job. That's what Works for Me. Head over to Shannon's and check out other Works for Me Wednesday ideas.

Big Fun in the City

I have had big fun in the big city.

Oh, yes indeedy.

We've took the Metro downtown, had dinner at a nice restaurant, went to a NBA game, went back to the nice restaurant's bar, took the Metro home, and got home after 11 pm.

And, just for the record, I am officially a "grandma." As in, I am older than the hills and find young revealing clothing scandalous. And I don't like cool shoes with heels higher than 2 inches that would identify me as anything other than the stay at home mom I am, because honestly they hurt my feet.

Obviously I don't get out much. In fact I haven't been to a NBA game since the Hornets were in Charlotte in the first half of the '90's. I think I was pregnant with my first born at the last game I saw in person. We had friends and family with great tickets in those days.

We have friends that had great tickets for Friday night's game. They were AWESOME tickets!!!

I'd forgotten how big NBA players are. We were very close to the court. The first half was great. The score was close, and the players made every pass look effortless. However, as the second half began my friend saw Will Smith on the big screen, so....

...to be honest...

...I spent the second half trying to find him in the crowd. I did not have binoculars.

I really could have used them. Not to see the game since we were so close, but to search the crowd on the other side of the Verizon Center for Will Smith, because I really needed an actual sighting to improve my tales of my big night in the city.

I did finally spot him. I'm pretty sure...

Anyway the Wizards lost, we had a blast, and we headed home on the Metro.

I feel so grown up taking the Metro places. The Metro at 10 pm is much more fun than 5 pm. There are couples snuggling, recent college grads catching up with old friends, a few people sleepily making their way home from work, and there was a young man dressed in a military dress uniform. He was fully prepared with his backpack that included an umbrella and combat boots.

As I sat wondering and praying about his safety, another young man recognized that he had served two tours in Iraq. This civilian dressed young man commented that he was headed back to Iraq on Monday. He also looked prepared and resolved.

Suddenly the chatter and excitement of the Metro died away. At least for me. I couldn't think about anything but this young man, who looked so much younger on second glance, headed off Iraq. As the Metro moved further into the suburbs and towards the end of the line, it became even more quiet. I studied his cowboy boots and wondered why he'd been downtown. He had gotten on the train with us. Maybe he also caught the game. How would he spend the rest of his weekend? Would he be surrounded by friends and family? I knew I wanted a chance to talk to this young man.

As the train pulled into the station, I basically pushed my dear husband out of the way to stand beside the young man waiting for the doors to open. I squeaked out, "Good luck, God Bless."

He bounded up the escalator and headed off away from us. I held my dear husband's hand even more tightly.

I imagine that young man is in Iraq right now. I pray for his safe return. I pray that he knows God and has family and friends to support him. I pray that his night in the big city was more fun than mine and that very soon he's back downtown amazed at all the sights.

First Snow

I took this peaceful picture a little after 7 this morning. My house was quiet, the coffee was brewing, only one child had padded downstairs. You can feel the cold of early morning is this one.

I took this one a little later, after I had popped the blueberry muffins in the oven, and after all the children were awake. Over an hour early I might add, on a day when school is delayed 2 hours.

I like the shadows and colors of this one better. I really like how the sun is reflecting off the snow and adds a touch of rosy warmth. Which do you like better?

And these are just plain funny. First of all I'm excited that I finally learned how to use my camera well enough to catch the action. Obviously, the cold was bothering Wink's ears.

His ears are in mid flap here. Or perhaps he heard is favorite word, "Treat!"

Chicken with Brown Sauce - Yummy!

I've made a mistake with Mr. Linky for Jan. 2's WFMW. Please click here for Ham and Pineapple over Rice -Yum! We'll just blame the new year for my lack of technical precision. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.





Works-For-Me Wednesday: The What-Do-I-Fix? Edition


You know that feeling. It's 5:15. You're still running around the house trying to make it look like you've done something all day. The kids are still doing homework with questions, questions, and more questions, the phone's been ringing non-stop, and oh, by the way, its time to start dinner. You stare alternately into the refrigerator and the pantry, and you begin to panic.

My daughter keeps encouraging me to make a menu for the week. She's eight and eating dinner is high on her list of priorities. In fact, she's usually the one to ask, "What's for dinner?" first.

So here's my go to dinners when I'm out of time, brain power, and haven't been to the grocery store.

Here's favorite meal that looks like I actually planned something. It's Chicken with Brown Sauce over rice or noodles. I usually keep frozen chicken breasts. The defrost button on my microwave is my friend. Saute the chicken breasts in olive oil and minced garlic until opaque. Pour a can of beef consumme over chicken, and a splash of dry sherry if you're up for it, and simmer 15 minutes. (Two cubes of beef boullion in a cup of water works also.) Mix 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1 tablespoon corn starch together in a measuring cup. (If you're out of sour cream just mix 2 tablespoons of corn starch with 1/4 cup cold water. Make sure you salt and pepper to taste.) Add sour cream to chicken to thicken sauce. Serve over rice or our favorite - egg noodles. Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese over top. Add a salad, broccoli, or carrots, and your husband will think you planned all day. Trust me it's Yummy!

Spaghetti with meat sauce- I have to mention this because let's face it, I could make it in my sleep, my son can make it alone, and we have it almost once a week. Sometimes more. I buy Hunts spaghetti sauce in a can. When it's on sale for a $1, I buy as many cans as possible. Brown some ground beef, add the sauce, a few shakes of ground red pepper, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Our family loves vermicilli pasta. For left-over spaghetti night, please don't pity us, I'll mix the remaining sauce with a little cream, water, and extra parmesan, then mix all that with cooked ziti noodles in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees until warm. Oh, and left-over hot dog buns make great toasted garlic bread.

My other staples in an emergency include breakfast for dinner and tomato soup with grilled cheese. I still remember many years ago when I cooked fancy dinners every night - lamb chops, pork loin, salmon, homemade gumbo or pallea. Ummm, yeah, those days are over.

Head over to Shannon's for more Works For Me Wednesday: The What Do I Fix? Edition.

Have You Traveled to Emmaus?

I had lunch with a new friend yesterday. She has an amazing faith story she is living right now. It was wonderful to hear about how faithful God is to His word and in her life.

Then this morning during my quiet time I was reading about "The Road to Emmaus." I have always loved that part of scripture. After lunch yesterday some of the points of God's words in Luke spoke to my heart this morning.

I love that the Lord surrounds us with friends to discuss every aspect of our lives we want to share. Two of Christ disciples were walking to Emmaus on the third day after the crucifixion. You can only imagine their conversation. The women had found angels in the tomb rather than Christ's body. You know they were confused. They were having such trouble putting all the pieces together. I love that God gives us friends to talk out and try to understand things.

As they are realizing for probably the umpteenth time that they do not have the answers they seek, a man joins them on their walk. They don't recognize that it is Christ. Yet they are drawn to his light as he explains the fulfillment of the scriptures. I firmly believe God reveals himself through people everyday. The Holy Spirit shines forth, and bestows knowledge and wisdom when we seek it. Sometimes, graciously, when we don't even know we're looking. When we seek Him with all our heart, we will find him.

When the men finally realize they are in the presence of their Lord Jesus Christ he disappears. There is no sorrow in this. As you might imagine, I love this part also. Once Christ reveals himself to us, He leaves us with friends to discuss the process and experience. These friends will remind us that we truly experienced God in our lives. These conversations support us and help our faith grow even more. Sharing our own faith journeys helps to build the faith of others.

It was a pleasure to hear my new friend's faith journey. God made her a promise years ago that He has recently reconfirmed in a way she'll never be able to deny. She is resting secure in God's love for her. He surrounded her with friends to witness His promise to her. She's filled with peace that no matter where the road or process ahead of her takes her and her family, they are in the center of God's will. As she said yesterday. There's no where else she'd want to be.

How Do You Say, "Five?"

We spent the weekend at my dad's farm.

Aahhh...

After relaxing, walking, playing, and relaxing some more, I didn't even mind the 5 hour drive so much. Especially since Hon drove it all. There's nothing like home. I hear the twang and it is a balm to my soul.

What's funny is that I hear that twang so clearly now. We went out for Barbecue Saturday night and the hostess asked, "Table for how many?"

I said, "Five."

She repeated back, "Fiii-ah."

I said, "That's riii-iii-aaa-ght."

And then laughed at my new northern accent and the way I now say, "Five." I'm sure any of my friends here in Nova would beg to differ about my northern accent. They might admit that they've gotten used to my twang, but I'm pretty sure they still hear the twang.

I hope they always do.

I'm So Glad Some Things Never Change

A big pile of leaves can call any kid's name. Our kids and the cousins had a blast playing in our oversized pile. Yes, I know it looks like a large corner of our yard, but this is the pile you get from a lot full of very tall oak trees, and a mom who refuses to help bag leaves.

As you can see the children love the pile of leaves. They don't even mind the occassional limb in their way. Of course this leaf jumping event ended as most do. - an injury. The youngest cousin's tooth connected with oldest cousin's head, and eventually all the middle cousins ran out of steam.

That led us back inside where...

What girl can resist an Easy Bake? I would be willing to bet that many moms still love them. As long as their daughters don't want to use them say - everyday for the month after Christmas.

Birdie and her cousin carefully slid the cake into the oven. My niece could not even begin to try to contain her excitement. I'm sure there will be an Easy Bake under the tree for her this year.

Here she is trying to figure out exactly how this contraption works. I think she just really liked the smell of cake batter.

I'm so glad there are parts of holidays that never change. Traditions we all love. Kids at the kids table. Adults that talk too long. Kicking the kids outside to run off their excitement. Overeating for days, and yet finding room for one more cookie. And best of all, the excitement of being with the ones you love.

Hearing God's Voice

I was just reading today's Proverbs 31 devotion and can totally relate.

So many people I know are listening to hear God's voice. They want to know their calling, their purpose, to hear God's reassurance. I find the times I have heard the still, soft voice of God moments I will never forget. When I recall them even years later, I am filled with love for my mighty God and God's love for me. It is a reassurance I cling to as I continue to seek to know God more.

Do you hear God's voice?

How do I hear God's voice? The first time I was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace in a time of great stress. A peace beyond all understanding. Way beyond.

Another time it was the moment I laid each day of the remaining 7 months of graduate school at his feet, and I suddenly knew he would get me through one day at a time.

He has surrounded me with friends moments after I have called out to him in anguish. He has answered my husband's and my questions when we wake up the next morning resolved in the decisions we have lifted up to him for guidance. He has flooded me with laughable "aha" moments when I finally understand the process of our lives.

These lives we lead can often bring us to our knees before God. And yet sometimes we seek God's voice to know the next step in our ordinary existance.

I'm still amazed at what I think I understood about God's will for my life lately. And yes, I'm pretty sure, I know what he wants, but I'm keeping my self open to the fact I may have misunderstood. Someone in my church emailed me about what some would call an opportunity, and what I see as somewhat of a challenge. Would I be interested? I said I would pray about it.

As I got in the car a few minutes later and began to pray, I burst into tears as I was overcome by the fact that no further prayer was necessary. I was going to attempt this new opportunity. However, I sure did not take any steps to meeting the deadline. As the deadline was a day away, my friend called again. "Have you been praying? What have you decided?"

I waited until after 5 that evening to finally turn in the necessary paperwork, and thought, "Hey, maybe they won't choose me! Maybe there's still a way out."

Are you laughing at me? You should be. My interview went beautifully. I couldn't even work up a hand-sweat. Oh, I'm still filled with fear of what's to come, but I'm also filled with peace that this is where God wants me now.

No, I never hear God's booming voice and exact instructions. As my husband will tell you, there's no Batphone to God. The manual is the Bible, and I love that it's the only one I need.

How does a plain, old, mom hear God's voice? She listens with her eyes and heart wide open.

I May Post My Thanksgiving Gratitudes By Christmas

I finally found a gear a little faster than slothful about 4 pm today. By 4:30 I was all ready for a real post about the Thanksgiving weekend and all the wonderful things for which I am grateful. But first I decided to turn on the outside Christmas lights.

And now I'm sitting here with my big girl "can" of Mommy juice without the beautiful Christmas lights twinkling from the rain outside my window.

I think the rain could have been part of the problem. Plugging new lights together with wet plugs was probably not a good idea. Or the cheap net lights I have may have shorted out in the rain. Who knows??? I do know I ran up and down the basement stairs approximately 47 times hitting the reset on the outlet in the basement every time the outside plug shorted. I would like to know who planned the connection between those 2 outlets together with the reset in the basement. No lover of Christmas lights, I'm sure.

So, what I'm thankful for today, 4 days after the day set aside for Thankfulness, turkey, and family is that the plug tripped its circuit rather than starting an electrical fire before dinner, in the dark, with a light drizzle outside.

Maybe I'm starting to get being "thankful in all circumstances," but probably not.

I have concluded that this post does not have the reverent tone I wanted to list the many things for which I am deeply grateful. Maybe that's what happens when I rush to light the Christmas lights before giving thanks for the many blessings in my life.

We Will Return to Regular Programming...Soon

Now that I've played with my template some, I should actually consider writing some thoughtful content...

...Ummmmmm...

...hmmmmmm...

...well...

...I may have post-Thanksgiving-I-ate-entirely-too-much-and-don't-want-to-do-anything-yet disorder. Look it up. I'm sure other people have it. I'm not sure it's supposed to last 4-5 days after the big eating frenzy, but considering our relatives hang around the whole entire looonnnggg weekend expecting more and more wonderful food, you can understand the delay of my recovery.

Maybe after a little nap I'll have the energy to post about all our excitement and the gratitude I felt this weekend and today. But first things first, I'm sure a nap is the prescribed antidote to my post-Thanksgiving-I-ate-entirely-too-much-and-don't-want-to-do-anything-yet disorder.

Thawing My Turkey and Methods of Relaxation

I don't know about you, but I've got a 20 lb. bird floating in my kitchen sink. It kinda makes me giggle. Obviously defrosting in the refrigerator has not been entirely successful, but perhaps in another week it would have been. So in all hopes that my turkey becomes soft and pliant, totally relaxed or thawed as it may be, I've given her a little quiet tub time. I could probably learn something from this lesson.

Buying a fresh turkey, that I pick up the day before Thanksgiving is not what I mean.

As my dear friend Karen pointed out last night - I could use a little quiet tub time to prepare for the big feast. I need to take time for me in the hullaballoo of having 7 house guests for the next 5 days. This morning instead of running to the grocery store before the kids get up, or cleaning until they wake, I'm enjoying my quiet time. Because let's be serious this is the last time I'll have morning quiet time for 5 days. I also plan to sit down and put my feet up for a full 30 minutes this afternoon before the relatives arrive.

My tip to you today is don't let the stress get to you. Even if your list is a full mile long take time for breaks. Use your kitchen timer and give yourself at least 5 minutes to sit, drink some water, watch the birds, and/or a little dumb tv. When the buzzer goes off, you will go back to your tasks rejuvenated and most likely a little more focused.

However, if you find you have absolutely no time to spare in your holiday preparations, go with plan B.

Make sure you buy some champagne or wine today. When the relatives arrive, declare prep time over and enjoy the company. Let your guests join you in the kitchen and actually help. My father-in-law and I have a few ground rules that he repeats each time he comes to our house.

"You want me to get my own drinks, right?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"I can just get myself some cereal in the morning? Right?"

"That's right. You know where it is."

"You'll let me know when you need help setting the table? Right?"

"Thank you so much!"

I found out a long time ago that my husband's parents run their house a little differently than me. Surprise! But, I also learned that if I asked for what I needed and gently laid the ground rules, "Everyone gets their own drink," I don't go completely crazy.

Happy Turkey Day! May your eyes be wide open to the abundant gifts God has given you. Check out other great tips at Works For Me Wednesday.

She Will Survive One More Thanksgiving

I found it! I found it! Here's the link and my favorite Thanksgiving Song. Enjoy!

Random Thoughts Preparing for Thanksgiving

I truly wanted to put up a link to a hilarious Thanksgiving card that went around a couple of years ago. It was a turkey singing "I Will Survive." I loved it. But alas, it is "No Longer Available for Viewing." I tried all the new cards on that company's site, and I have to tell you none of them compared to that turkey singing "I Will Survive, Hey, Hey."

What I wonder is how my hands will survive Thanksgiving preparations, cooking and cleaning. Are anyone else's hands dry and cracked already? I'd love a manicure, but I can't see the point with all the housework and cooking I have in the next few days. Maybe I'll make myself a deal. If I can get the housework completed today, I can take time for a manicure on Wednesday morning.

Speaking of housework. Does anyone else make themselves insane before the holidays? All the nooks and crannies that I can completely ignore and not see any other time are suddenly filthy and calling out for my attention. I just spent a half and hour scrubbing the grout in my hall bathroom. I seriously do not think it looks any better. I also don't think any of my relatives will be grading the whiteness of our grout. Please help me in my obsessive craziness. My time could be much better spent...

...Getting a manicure.

Freezing Thanksgiving Foods Before the Big Day?

It's backwards day at Works For Me Wednesday today. And oh boy, do I have a timely question.

I've come to that advanced age of motherhood and daughter-hood and daughter-in-law-hood when I've realized that I love hosting the holidays, I just want to make it a little easier. And while I know the easiest thing would be for us all to go out to eat, that's not the route I want to go. I'd just like the meal preparation to go a little easier on me, so I can take a minute to sit while talking or even see part of the parade. And did I mention that when the family comes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, they come for 5-6 days?

Yes, I am insane. In-laws, my mother, and at least one set of aunt, uncle, and cousins, sometimes two sets.

I'm a glutton for punishment, who's kinda of excited.

So, what I'd like to do freeze a few meals. That I know how to do.

Has anyone ever frozen a sweet potato casserole or dressing for Thanksgiving?

I'd love to know how it went, because I really don't feel like trying a test run in the 14 days left before Thanksgiving. Please, please leave me some great information. I'll even take links to freezable food.

Try helping out your fellow bloggers and their questions at Rocks In My Dryer.

Cleaning Out the Basement

The online, ongoing faith retreat I'm doing has been difficult the last two weeks to say the least. We've been looking at the sin in our lives. Aaahhh!!!

I did what I normally do when things are really difficult.

I avoided it.

Totally. Acted like I wasn't participating. Refused to print out the guide for the week. Didn't look at it for days.

I'm so mature and really growing in my faith, can't you tell?

But I just love the Lord, so much!!!

He knows me so well. He is faithful, constant, loving, and thankfully merciful. And have I mentioned humorous. He knows how to reveal things in a very concrete way for me. He puts my life together in wonderful, "Aha!" moments. I am so thankful that He has opened my eyes to see His work.

I finally faced the retreat guide for the week. I took the time to sit, pray, journal, and even listen. God's timing is always spot on. Here's how.

Sunday, rather than spending the day in observance of the Sabbath, I spent it cleaning out the storage area of our basement. After the move last year, I pulled the things we needed out of boxes and simply made a mess down there. Now, I will say I was led to clean out our basement by last week's retreat guide and something from our Beth Moore, Jesus, the One and Only study. (I just love how God ties the story of the life we're living together.)

Last week in the retreat, we contemplated the sin of the world and how ignore serving the poor.
In Jesus, the One and Only, Beth commented on how many of us spend money on storage units for things we don't use daily, while others have nothing. I don't have a storage unit, but I do have a storage area in my basement filled with things that could benefit others. So, God brought me to a place where I realized that I definitely can share my hidden treasures with others.

I cleaned out the larger section of the basement. It looks great. I got rid of things that I had bought and never used but had selfishly held onto for "someday." In typical fashion, I did avoid the section with all my teaching materials and Hon's tool area. There was only so much I could face in one day. As I went to bed Sunday night, I realized I could face those two sections easily, and there were things I had decided to keep that I should donate to someone else. I needed to go back and continue cleaning out the basement. I know that God laid those thoughts on my heart, because...

The next morning I finally read the retreat guide for the week. Wouldn't you know that it said,

But, in every house - in every life - there is a basement...where the less than
presentable stuff is kept. This week, we can imagine going down in that
basement. Even if there has been a lock on that door, and I haven't
visited it in a long time. I need not be afraid, because I'm going to go
down there, accompanied by Jesus, who will show me all the stuff that is
there. There's old stuff there I wouldn't want to show anybody else.
There's embarrassing stuff there, in hiding. As I walk around it all, I
can imagine Jesus telling me he loves me here, in this place. He loves all
of me - the whole me. To avoid facing the fear, negatives,
past sins, and patterns of sins in my life would be to avoid a tremendous
grace.

I realized that the sins and patterns of sins in my life had been in my subconscious all week. I have delved into some areas I didn't want to face, and I mined some gems that I can carry forward and apply to my life to avoid sin in the future. I realized that while I often pay lip service to the sin of pride in my life, it is so much worse than I realized.

Which ties back into the Jesus, the One and Only study which said, "Conviction is never for the sake of condemnation but for liberation." If I give it over to Jesus and accept his mercy and grace, I have received a priceless gift, not eternal condemnation.

The contemplation of my sinful patterns isn't over. Yuck! I have just straightened up a little bit. I pray that God grants me the faith, strength, love, and mercy to continue to realize the pattern behind my sin. I have also realized that by not facing my sin patterns, I cannot meet Jesus and ask for healing. I noticed in our readings in Luke that in most instances where Jesus healed the sick in spirit and body, the person, or a person who could speak for them, knew he/she needed healing. They knew they needed Jesus's healing and grace.

You can't seek healing when you don't know you're sick.

So This Is My Blog

Oh, my, look at this. I remember this place. It's my blog. I can't believe I haven't posted since Halloween - 6 days ago! I guess that just means my life has been really full and busy.

Um, yeah, that's it...

I have been out of my routine, and I've found I'm a girl who loves her routine. What I'd love even more is to sleep late. I've had the perfect opportunity with the kids' teacher workdays yesterday and today. And yet there was that little time change. Now I'm laying in bed wide awake before my husband's alarm goes off. It just makes his day that I've gotten up with him the last two days instead of sleeping in with the kids. What I should do is get up and exercise. And that's something I'll need to tackle tomorrow. I mean the real tomorrow, not the tomorrow that's way off in the future that I never have to face.

Anyhoo, I don't have much to say today. I just wanted to make sure I remembered how to type. Here's the only semi funny thing that's really happened around here this weekend.

Fred, our oldest was jabbering away in the car the other afternoon. He turned to me and said,

"Pudding."

I, of course, laughed. It was totally in the randomness of how he said it. He then explained that just about any girl will laugh when you say, "Pudding." He also thinks they laugh if you say their name. Which brought me to the idea of...
...my son is trying to figure out how to make girls laugh.

Very, very, interesting. And hopeful, because a good sense of humor is golden.

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Amazingly there are some of us in this world who think about Halloween costumes at about 4 pm on Halloween. Add to that a child who can't make up his mind until after school on Halloween, and you have a mom with a few last minute Halloween Costume ideas. Without further ado here are a few we've tried.

• One year my son dressed all in green, and I painted his face with green craft paint. He was a swamp monster. The paint didn't hurt his face and came off easily. Although I'm sure it would have irritated my sensitive-skinned son.
• One year my Husband dressed in a dark suit, sunglasses, and carried a silver pen light flashlight - aka Men in Black.
• My black graduation robe has become a wizard's robe in mere minutes. Add a stick for a wand and last year we simply knotted a long piece of cloth as a cloak.
• My husband's favorite costume was the year he carried a long white stick, wore sunglasses and wore a sign around his neck that said, "I'm from Venice." He was a Venetian Blind.
• I heard about a woman who dressed all in pink and carried a feather. She was tickled pink. I think I might use that one this year.
• Of course there's always the Christmas Tree option. Dress in green, wrap lights around yourself, and stand near an outlet at the party.
• Grab a few leaves from the back yard and tape or glue them on - instant leaf pile.
• A few more ideas are here - tons, here's a squid with step by step instructions, and this site includes pictures.

Have a great Halloween! Enjoy more Works for Me Wednesday tips at Rocks In My Dryer.

Our Own Engagement Memories, Part IV

"Yes, and Yes, and Yes again!" I answered.

My never-going-to-happen-especially-not-today engagement day had suddenly happened. I could not have been more completely surprised and smitten. Hon could not have been more proud of himself for pulling off the surprise. My saying, "Yes," was a known factor, so the actual timing had to be memorable.

Hon quickly popped the ring back into his pocket. He wanted to make sure I didn't knock it into the creek 15 feet below in the midst of my tears of joy and squeals of excitement.

I told you he was a smart man.

We floated back to my house. I am sure my giggles and spontaneous leaping for joy alerted any hunters in the area. We probably also frightened all deer in a 3 mile radius. We came around the barn into the yard and saw my dad.

I did not put two and two together and connect the odd events at the wood shed with the fact that my dad probably knew our walk included a proposal.

"Dad, we're engaged!" I gushed.

And my daddy, the best Daddy in the world, my rock and biggest champion for all time said,

"Yeah, I gotta go feed the dog."

"But, Dad, I've got a ring and everything," I said holding my hand out.
(And to tell you the truth what did I mean by "and everything?")

"I said, 'I gotta go feed the dog'," growled my dad.

I've got to tell you my heart broke a little. Had I not been so unbelievably excited and over the top in love, it might have dampened my day. Luckily, there would be no chance to wipe the smile off my face for weeks. At that moment his lack of interest, happiness, or enthusiasm hurt - but just ever so slightly under my joy.

However when I remember this story, it brings tears to my eyes.

"I gotta go feed the dog."



You see, I know my dad. I know my dad loves and adores me. And I know my dad's heart broke a lot more than just a little that day. His baby girl had found the man of her married dreams. There was a new knight in shining armor in my life that I would cling to even more than a little girl clings to her dad. He didn't want anyone to know how much the happiness he prayed for me to have, hurt him. He turned away and hid the tears he wouldn't be able to hide a few months later at our wedding.

My dad could have said like the country song by Heartland does, "I loved her first."

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first

I am blessed. I have a wonderful Daddy. He raised me well and loved me even better, so I knew what kind of man to marry. I knew I needed a man that would earn my respect, an honest man, a man that could make me laugh and wipe away my tears. In Hon, I had found the man that would love me for me, encourage me to be the best I could ever be, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.

Hon continues to make my heart go pitter patter and on many occassions a thumpidy-thump-thump. Oh, I love him more and deeper each passing day. And I can only imagine what he'll say the day our daughter gets engaged. I have a feeling - he won't even be able to choke out,

"I gotta go feed the dog."

Halloween Costumes Gone Bad, Very, Very, Bad

The mothers of my Friday prayer group usually end our time chit-chatting and filling each other in on the lives of our children and offering each other advice and support. The last few weeks we've all voiced our woes over the Halloween costume choices for girls this year. And we mean little girls.

Today the Washington Post had a front page article on the same topic. My group of mothers concurs with the complaints of the mother's in the article.

What is the deal with sexy Halloween costumes for little girls?

What is mass merchandising and our culture doing to our daughters' childhoods?

Check this video for another look at advertising and girls.


How do we protect the childhood that our daughters themselves don't know they desperately need?

My biggest worry as a child on Halloween was whether it would be a cold night. If it was cold my mom was definitely going to make me wear a coat over my witch or gypsy floor length, long sleeved costume. One year I solved that problem by being a hobo. A raggedy coat helped make the costume rather than hide it from view. There's a lot more to be hidden than a costume these days. Girls' body parts aren't covered by anything. Modest parts are pushed up front and center. Ten year old legs are in fishnet and high heeled go-go boots. Ten year olds need to be worried about tripping over sidewalks while trick or treating, not walking in high heeled boots and snagging their fishnets.

I'm glad to read that other mothers are just as outraged as we are. I'm encouraged that other mothers that want to protect our daughters' childhoods and give them a sense of self-respect and a healthy dose of modesty.

And I am really, really glad, that my daughter decided on her own to be a skeleton a month ago. She's wearing one of her brother's old costumes and is thrilled about it.

Our Own Engagement Memories, Part III

We sat side by side on the rocky ledge of the old stone waterfall. We could see the remains of the old mill across the creek. The leaves spiraled down into the churning water below our dangling feet. I'm sure now that Hon's stomach was also churning.

He tried desperately to recreate the amazing talk we'd had a year ago. We'd mapped out our hopes and dreams and made connections on levels that opened our eyes not only to our chemistry and the feelings of new love, but our compatibility, our future, the possibilities.


I, however, was still stewing over the fact that this was not my engagement day. That if I told my love I wanted to get engaged here at the waterfall on my family's property, I would ruin any surprise I might have. That was when and if he ever decided to ask me to marry him. One might say, I was less than cooperative about re-living our most romantic moments.


Hon wrapped his arms around me and warmed me with memories from the past year. He nuzzled my neck and told me how he fell in love with me as I talked about teaching one day at lunch. We laughed over the first time I told him I loved him - in McDonald's. We giggled about our horrible first dates. His first visit to meet my parents. Valentine's day at the Irregardless Cafe. My spring formal when we fought because graduation was so near, and then made up when we admitted we wanted to continue dating after graduation. I thawed a little. I kissed him back. I leaned comfortably against this man who made me feel loved, protected, and excited all at once.


Finally, he asked,

"How much do you love me?"

"This much," I answered as I squished my index and thumb together.

"How much do you love me?" he asked again.

"This much. All the way around the world and back," I said squeezing my fingers together.

"Do you love me this much?" he asked as he opened a ring box.


...to be continued...

...just a little bit more...

I'm a North Carolina Kind of Gal

I probably shouldn't just post jokes making the rounds on email, but these made me laugh too much. Especially considering right before I read them I had a conversation where I described distance in hours to a friend with a son named Trey, and I'm freezing today because it's in the 60's. I may not live in North Carolina right now, but North Carolina will always be a part of me. And yes, I can answer in the affirmative to each of these.

What Jeff Foxworthy has to say about people in North Carolina.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you are 'fixin' to go anywhere,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you've worn shorts to a Christmas party,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number,
you may live in North Carolina.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Myrtle Beach for the weekend,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you measure distance in hours,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
you may live in North Carolina.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph you're going 80 and everybody is passing you,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly',
you may live in North Carolina.

If you and all your friends live for basketball season, be it high school, college, or Pro,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you know that Charlotte is not really the State Capital,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you know three different recipes for baked beans, and which one to take to a funeral,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you know two or more friends named 'Trey,'
you may live in North Carolina.

If you can name two hurricanes that blew away your neighbor's trailer,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you think that all students who graduate from Duke move back home to New York,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you think that the tobacco barn out front is part of your home,
you may live in North Carolina.

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with your North Carolina friends and others,
you definitely live in North Carolina .

Our Own Engagement Memories, Part II

Hon watched the dark outline of the ax silhouetted against the Carolina blue sky come crashing down again and this time wedge into a green log.

My dad took one look at Hon and said,

"Yes."

Then my dad turned and walked away while the ax still quivered in the log.

I saw Hon turn towards the house, so I grabbed my coat and headed outside to meet him. He lifted me up in a big bear hug and said,

"Let's go for a walk. I'd love to see the waterfall again."

I'd love to say I threw my long, luscious locks over the back of my beautiful wool coat, and we hiked into the sunset. However...this is our story, and I am involved. The reality was this.

My mom followed me outside to remind us that it was hunting season and Thanksgiving weekend. The good Lord only knows how many hunters we had trespassing on the farm at that very moment. We had to suit up for safety. I donned a red hooded coat that Hon still reviles to this day and both of us capped ourselves with bright orange hunting caps. He might have thought I was beautiful, but my attire was not.

We took a few steps towards the barn and met my dad.

"Where you guys going? I'll come," he asked.

"To the waterfall," said Hon. Pointedly, very pointedly.

"Oh, wait, I've got to um, yeah," and my dad headed back into the barn.

We headed on towards the waterfall hand in hand, each of us in our own quiet thoughts.

Hon's thoughts ran sort of like this...

What was that? Was that a hunter? I better talk a little louder. Do I have the ring? Here, I'll hold her hand and put it in my coat pocket? I wonder if she knows? I can't believe my aunt almost blew it. How did anyone know this was the weekend? Wait? What was that? Was that a hunter? I'll talk a little louder. If I get shot before I ask her....


My thoughts were more like this...

He really was mad at his aunt. I thought we'd be engaged by now. I bet I look stupid in this coat. And this hat is making my head itch. How do I kiss him when we both have hunting caps on? Could I look more like a red neck? I'd love for him to ask me to marry him at the waterfall. We had such a good talk there last year. That's when we first starting talking about our future. But...if I tell him I want to get engaged at the waterfall...then the next time we come down here I'll know. This stinks...we should just head back to the house...I can't believe I'm wearing this hat...


...to be continued...

Our Own Engagement Memories

Reading this engagement story brought to mind my own.

While our story doesn't have any enlightening lines, there was much hidden emotion, deeply hidden, and a few lines we'll never forget.

We'd been dating a year, and we were in love. Like many couples we had a silly little thing we'd do. One of us would ask the other,

"How much do you love me?"

The other would squish their fingers together tightly and say,

"This much. All the way around the world and back together."

Yes, we were sickeningly, stomach churning, hot flash, heart racing in love. My husband had decided to pop the question Thanksgiving weekend. We were spending my first Thanksgiving away from home with his family, and I was duly nervous. We celebrated a huge traditional Southern Living magazine type of feast at my husband's Aunt and Uncle's home, in the dining room that had been featured in an interior design magazine. I, the farm girl who took Thanksgiving scraps out to the garbage pile for the dogs, was totally at ease.

Uh, yeah.

Actually, I was doing just fine until dinner started. After grace, Hon's aunt looked down the table and asked my love,

"Are there any announcements?"

Dead silence.

Followed by, "No, there are not."

This uncomfortable moment would have been forgotten had my love not gritted his teeth through dinner and spent the rest of the evening furious that his aunt would ask such a pointed question. I couldn't understand why he was so furious. If he called his aunt rude once, he called her rude 20 times. It was unsettling. Especially since I had thought we were definitely moving towards engagement. Needless to say I cried myself to sleep that night thinking we would never get engaged. And oh, my Lord, did that mean, he didn't love me like I thought he did?

The next day I asked to be taken back to my family's farm a day early. We had planned to visit my family over the weekend, but after the joy of the Thanksgiving debaucle, I was ready to see my family and get some dressing leftovers before they were gone. A girl's got to cope.

Soon after we arrived, I was inside talking with my mom when we noticed Hon out at the woodshed following my dad. My dad was spending a beautiful day outside chopping wood. Hon was right on his heels, hands in his pockets, not really helping, and we couldn't figure out what in the world was doing. I would later find out he was asking for my hand in marriage.

"Um, Sir, I'd like to ask Katie to marry me. And we'd like to have your blessing?"

My dad picked up an ax, raised in high in the air...

and split a huge log clean in two while the lack of his reply hung in the air. Hon, at this point decided asking for a girl's hand in marriage at a woodshed is a very, very bad idea indeed.

"Well, I would have run you off by now, if you weren't okay," my dad finally replied.

??????

Hon was not entirely sure that was a, "Yes." Did that mean he could ask me? My dad was still holding the ax. Was it safe to ask again for clarification? Hon, as always, was persistent.

"Sir, does that mean yes?"

As my dad raised the ax again...

To be continued....

Finding a Great Hair Stylist

I tried a new hair salon yesterday. Every woman with a head of hair knows my pain. And anyone who's ever had a great stylist that you truly enjoyed seeing and talking with as you sat down and simply said, "Do what you want, make it beautiful!" knows that finding another one like that is near impossible.

Let's be honest. If I'm going to pay what they charge in NOVA for highlights and a cut. I want to meet someone I can at least make small talk with about People magazine. Because about the only time I get to read People Magazine is at the hair salon.

As I sat down yesterday the new stylist and I started the small talk. First about my hair and then on to getting to know each other. Was this going to be a talkative hair experience or would I read a magazine by myself? She found out I'd moved to the area about a year ago, that I had three children, and then she asked, "So what do you do? For work?"

"Well, I used to teach, but now I'm a stay at home mom," I volunteered.

And she replied...

"So................

......do you like...ummm...cook a lot???"

"Your kids are how old?"

"8, 10, 12."

"So, they're in school all day. What do you do all day? I guess you do whatever you want all day. Ha!"

As a dear said, "Well, she's off the list. I hope your hair doesn't look too great."

Notes to finding a good hairstylist.

• Referrals help, but aren't fool proof. A hairstylist is a personal choice.
• Technique is important. Can she actually maneuver the huge round brush and hairdryer without burning your scalp or whacking you in the head? Dropping the brush repeatedly is a danger sign.
• Great color with a bad cut equals hair horror.
• Does she listen to your color preferences? Does she do what you ask her to do. Getting to that you-do-what-you-think-looks-good-on-me point takes time and trust.
• Most importantly, can you make reasonable small talk for 2 hours?

You're not looking for a friend. You're looking for an artist with conversation skills.

Check out more Works for Me Wednesday tips at Rocks In My Dryer.

The Trials and Tribulations of Laundry

That screaming mother you heard about half an hour ago? It was me. I'll own it. I'll also fill you in that I'm pretty sure my head spun around about six times during the outrage. While I don't enjoy losing my temper, I'm hoping there's a spot of sunshine in this story. As in I hope and pray my daugher won't ever cram all her clean clothes into the dirty clothes hamper again.

That would be the clothes that I struggle to get washed, dried, possibly re-dried to get rid of some wrinkles, folded, hauled back upstairs, and sorted into her room. The clothes that she decided she rather lay on her bed and cry about than put away before she went outside to play.

While she was weeping like she was Cinderella and I was her evil step-mother on a bad day, I popped in her room to grab the dirty laundry from her hamper. I was surprised it was so full seeing as I had done laundry 3 days ago. Oooo, and then I realized I was pulling clean laundry out of the hamper.

Her only defense - she didn't know she wasn't supposed to do that.

Yes, don't we wish stupidity covered all our mistakes.

Facing Fears, Finding Forgiveness

This week in my online retreat we are delving into our personal sins. We’re exploring the rebellion of our hearts.

The grace we turn to God for this week is that we might know our sin –
completely and profoundly – so that we might know the depth of God’s love for us
personally. We want to know our sin at the level of our feelings.

I’ve got to tell you this had me running scared. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got some sins I know all too well. They are a shame that scares me. I have some sins that I see as awful. I find them so horrendous, I don’t even want to consider how God must feel. I have deep regrets. So this week of focusing on this subject made me laugh maniacally, in fear.

I found facing the following directions particularly hilarious in an impossible it-might-kill-me kind of way.

In considering my sins, have I thoughtfully considered what I have
done? Failed to do? Habitually? Instinctively? Made my own rules?
Been dishonest? Cruel or abusive? Lustful, greedy, controlling, rationalized and
made excuses? Who have I hurt or damaged because of my selfishness?
Have I been deaf to the cry of the poor? Not wanted to get involved?
Insulated myself, lived in my own world, so I’m not bothered by the needs of
others?

Well, I just saw this as a pit I might not ever crawl out of. Then the retreat said I should see this deep self-knowledge with the depth of God’s forgiveness and love. It shouldn’t be depressing , but liberating. The whole purpose of this week is to experience deep gratitude of the profound depth of God’s love and mercy for me.

Just go ahead and call me doubting Thomas. I was NOT looking forward to working through the retreat this week. I was even considering skipping it. Maybe it was time to quit. And now I realize had God not lifted me up with a great discussion with my retreat partner, I would have never attempted this task.

I read through the Guide for the week with much fear, doubt, and worry right before I went to bed the other night. But I knew that God has me on his journey. I prayed for His help and guidance through this week. I prayed to focus where he directs.

Thankfully, God got the stuff I consider my debilitating sins out of the way pretty quickly. I’ve been mulling over my past and regrets for the past few months. Several instances have really brought them to mind. Knowing I had confessed, knowing God offers forgiveness and mercy, and yet I still felt extreme shame. Shame that made me question too many other things. I awoke in the middle of the night and prayed through several of the things that were bothering me. I thought of some additional prejudices I had about the situations. I asked for forgiveness for biases I had never realized I had before. I wasn’t awake for long. When I awoke the next morning I was filled with such peace. Even now 2 days later I can’t work up the shame I was feeling that night. God has given me peace and forgiveness. It is a gift. And to imagine I feared this gift. As I told my friend Kelly, I faced what I feared, and my head didn’t blow up. Amazing! Hallelujah!

God quickly moved me on to something else that I have been avoiding with conscious blinders. Last night was filled with dreams about a family member. I have not had a brotherly attitude or kind thoughts about a family member lately. I have known it. I have known I need to make peace with the situation. I just need to pick up the phone and be kind. And yet I have avoided it, and avoided it, and avoided it. I have literally closed my eyes and stuck my fingers in my ears and said, “Lalalalalala – I don’t want to forgive and move on. I was completely right in my judgments.” That’s where God has me pointed today. It’s still up to me to make that step. I need to do it. Please let me have the strength to do the right thing.

God is kind and merciful. He can change us. He loves us. And he can do it all without making our heads blow up. :)

Chocolate Souffle or Chocolate Bread Pudding?

This dessert is beyond fabulous. It is true, 5-star restaurant quality, chocolate divine heaven. It's a rich, Chocolate Brandy Bread Pudding that tastes like a souffle.

Besides the anticipation of eating something so scrumptious, this dessert gave me the bonus of a required field trip. I needed to make a purchase at the local ABC store.

For the brandy.

In the recipe.

Luckily, the cashier recognizes me instantly. As "Clueless." I got my own guided tour around the liquor store. It seems the cashier had a little trouble finding the brandy himself. I guess it's not his beverage of choice. He did give me a great tip though. You can buy brandy in airplane bottles for 80 cents a bottle. One-third cup of brandy takes about 1 and 1/2 airplane bottles. Or you could splurge and buy a real size bottle, because I think you're going to like this dessert enough to make it more than once.

The first time I made this was for a dear friend of mine who is also a caterer. (And yes, it is quite stressful cooking dinner for a professional caterer!) When I told her I was making Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert I saw her actually turn up her nose. Later she admitted that she normally doesn't like bread pudding, but she thought this one was fantastic.

So without further tangents or field trips...

Chocolate Brandy Bread Pudding

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 1/4 cups half and half
1/3 cup brandy
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. cinnamon, divided
4 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
8 slices crustless, country white bread in 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp. sugar

1. Brush sides and bottom of 8x8 Pyrex dish with melted butter.
2. Simmer half and half and brandy in a large heavy sauce pan for 3 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of chocolate chips. Let stand for 1 minute.
4. Whisk until chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.
5. Whisk in brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
6. Let stand 20 minutes until cool.
7. Whisk in eggs, vanilla, and salt.
8. Stir in bread gently. Let stand for 30 minutes.
9. Spread 1/2 half of mixture ( about 2 1/2 cups) into prepared Pyrex.
10. Sprinkle remaining 2 cups of chocolate chips over bottom half of bread pudding mixture.
11. Cover with remaining bread pudding mixture.
12. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Can be made 1 day ahead.
13. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
14. Bake until puffed and firm in the center. About 45 minutes
15. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes
16. Beat chilled heavy cream with 2 Tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to top Individual servings of pudding.

The cinnamon in the whipped cream and the whipped cream itself is the perfect accent to the pudding. The recipe says it makes 6 servings. I love dessert and big helpings, and we get 8-10 servings from this dish. I love that you pop it in the oven as you sit down to eat, and it's warm and ready at the perfect time. I also like making it the day before, because I actually like to enjoy my guests when we have them over, rather than rushing around the kitchen.

I got this wonderful recipe from my mother-in-law, who got it out of the February, 2005, issue of Bon Appetit, page 105 if you'd like to check. My mother-in-law also taught me that following a recipe exactly always yields better results. Fudging is best left to those with better cooking instincts than I.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. It is definitely a make a great impression type of dessert. :)

After enjoying this chocolately goodness last night. And believe me, I
love chocolate, I would only use 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips in
between the layers of pudding next time. Not that I'm qualified to tinker
with a recipe.

Eye of the Storm

There are certain days of the month that I need my own Emergency Broadcast Announcement. I'm sure some of you can relate. I think mine would go kinda like this...

We interrupt your life for this true Emergency Broadcast Announcement...Repeat...This is not a test. There is a real and present danger to you from...Your Hormones! At this time you must warn all people in your presence to seek immediate and safe shelter for the next 24-48 hours.

You are in the direct path of the storm. Remind yourself of the following to avoid as much embarrassment as possible.

• People are not breathing in an attempt to annoy you.
• Lulls in conversation do not mean people hate you.
• People are not purposefully trying to hurt your feelings...
• Therefore, all advice is not severe personal criticism of you.
• Your husband was not born to make your life miserable. He actually still loves you.
• Your children are adorable. Remember this one, because...
• Only animals eat their young.
• The teachers are not trying to kill the parents with homework.
• You are not worthless, and your life is not falling to pieces.
• The Internet is not eating your email.
• The zit on your face is not the size of Mt. Everest, but you really should raid your teenager's supply of acne medicine.
• Rotten TV is on everyday, not just today.
• All traffic is not trying to cut you off. Your fellow carpoolers are not all idiots.
• Birds poop on every one's cars.
• Telephone solicitors should be avoided at all costs.
• Do not try any financial or purchasing transactions. If things go awry you could be held responsible for all hissy fits you pitch.
• And finally, in case of spontaneous crying, take to your bed with as much chocolate as you can carry.

Thank goodness the storm has passed. Can someone remind me in 28 days???

Days We'd Like to Forget

Moaning...
Groaning...
Gnashing of teeth...

Sound interesting. Probably not, but that's almost all the details I care to forget about yesterday. Not a stellar day in my book. Perhaps the comedy in the what I call my life will emerge today and a more positive post with a giggle or two may be written. But at this point it's still mainly, moaning, groaning, and gnashing of teeth.

And yet, there were beams of light from my children.

God bless, Fred, for rescuing the kitchen from the backpack explosion that occurs every afternoon. He did a better job than I do most days. Oh, I love that boy.

God bless, The Dude for trying every trick he knew in the book to make his mom laugh or at least crack a smile. Finally, he resorted to actually finishing his homework. Big smile for that one.

And in trying to be in the spirit of being thankful for all things, but truly not quite there yet - thanks to the lady in my Bible study who told me I needed to refer to scripture more as we were discussing someone else's question. It truly hurt at the time. I'm still steaming. I will not forget this comment for a while. And yet, reading the Bible last night brought a peace that nothing else could. :-)

Unwrinkled Clothes

If you're a Martha Stewart type or born organized, this hint probably isn't for you. As documented here and here, I sometimes struggle with household appliances. And unfortunately, yesterday's post shows my daughter is headed in the same direction.

There is hope and at least one tip I can give her. I'm simply embarassed that I was only discovered it in the past year.

What do you when you've left clothes in the dryer? Perhaps for days? And days? Clothes that become small wrinkled balls that make an iron cry.

I'm sad to say in the past, I quite possibly just washed them again. Until someone let slip in random mom conversation that they throw a clean, wet dishtowel in with the wrinklies and re-dry the load. Voila! Beautiful, unwrinkled clothes.

Now here's a further reminder for those fellow moms in my time management challenged category. (Please God don't let me be the only clueless one). Don't go to the trouble of throwing the wet dishtowel in with the load of wrinkled clothes and walk out the door to do whatever. You'll miss you're window of opportunity. You actually need to hang around and FOLD the clothes when the dryer buzzer - well buzzes.

Check out other great Works For Me Wednesday tips at Rocks In My Dryer.

Or check out another laundry WFMW tip from me here.

Microwavable Breakfasts?

One guess for which muffin bar Birdie tried to microwave.

Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner, the zapped, metallic-electrical-fire-with-an-undertone-of-blueberry smelling bar to the left.

I am truly amazed that our microwave keeps zapping and smoking things without completely blowing every circuit in our house. Today's event (yes, there have been other events) caused much screaming as Birdie witnessed the electrical storm in the microwave. I wonder if it emitted any dangerous rays??? Maybe Birdie will now possess some amazing microwavable super power? Maybe she'll grow up and become a household appliance guru, unlike her mother. Sad to say at this point she, I, and the microwave are not on good terms.

I do understand her confusion and why she tried to nuke the blueberry muffin bar. Last week I bought a few new types of no-motherly-interaction breakfast food. Let's just say, I'm not a breakfast cooking type mom, instead of calling me lazy. Okay? Anyhoo, I bought these Oatmeal to Go Apples & Cinnamon Bars which you open the end of the package and microwave for 10 seconds. The kids liked them okay.

I also bought the Blueberry & Oats Muffin Bars, which say on the front of the box "Tastes Great WARM!"

Birdie tried to warm a bar. You've seen the results. Of course on the side of the box, it says, "Do not place wrapper in microwave." We really could have used that bold print statement on the front of the box near the "Tastes Great WARM!" statement.

The Dude was really upset that he missed the microwave lightening. Why do I have the feeling he'll need to recreate the storm?

Our poor microwave.

Searching for a Better Mood

Bedroom clean? - Check

Grass mowed? - Check

Paperwork caught up? - Check

Exercise? - Check

Paint two bad paintings, the second of which Fred decided looked like a big pear with two pear shaped biceps? - Check

Good night's sleep? -Hallelujah!!!

Bring on a better mood.

Interpreting Your Dreams

I'm feeling overwhelmed this morning. And believe me, I really don't think I have that much going on in my life to feel overwhelmed, but I do. Therefore, on some level I must be. Overwhelmed that is.

Am I making any sense? No worries, there's no cohesion in my thoughts today, so I'm pretty sure there's not going to be a lot of flow to my writing. You have been warned.

After several nights, 4 to be exact, of disturbing dreams with weird images that I've Googled, I finally had a dream that I didn't have to look up. I awoke from my dream and said, "Oh, that one I understand. I'm overwhelmed."

Next, question. "By what?"

Unfortunately, I think I have that one figured out also. I just don't like the answer so much. It's the old story of trying too hard to be in control of our own lives. Taking the weight of things that are not mine to carry on my shoulders. Thinking I have the power to do things, when only God does.

So how do I balance my worries? How do I stop this underlying feeling of being overwhelmed and not good enough? 'Cause, I'm really ready for a good night's sleep.

I'm taking a quiet day at home. I started my day in prayer, and I have a feeling it might be an entire day of calling out to the Lord, asking Him to explain what I'm not getting. I'm going to clean my bedroom, because maybe it's just the pile of clean sheets and the ironing board that I never take down, that's disturbing my slumber. And what I'd really like to do is paint. I'm sure I'll be rusty, and I have no idea what I'll paint besides those beautiful pears in my refrigerator. But hopefully, a little art therapy will silence the invisible demons that have brought about this funk.

Women Going Bald

Last night I had this huge dream about going bald.

I am here to tell you it was NOT a pretty sight. I was all bald on one side of my head around my part, except in my dream my part was on the wrong side of my head. In my dream I was seriously considering hair implants, and I wanted to make sure that they were done correctly, not in neat little rows like a doll's head. Then I was worried that if I got hair implants and did a stupid thing like have my hair cut short, the implants would never grow.

I am tired this morning. I do not wonder why.

I did what any blogging mom would do after dreaming of becoming bald. First, I Googled "dreaming of going bald." Now, I'm blogging about it. Remember this is my blog where I weed my mind of all and anything. I just don't want my head to look weed-whacked.

Anyhoo, this is what I found about bald dreams,

To dream that you are going bald, suggests a lack of self-esteem or worries
about getting older. Alternatively, baldness symbolizes humility, purity, and
personal sacrifice. You are at a stage in your life where you are confident in
fully exposing yourself.

Obviously the first part of the interpretation works better for me than the last.

Obviously.

The bald section referred me to the hair insights. And oh, we just don't want to go there. Basically, unless you're smelling or stroking you hair in your dream, hair dreams are just bad news. Apparently, I have some subconscious issues.

I Know! Aren't we all so surprised!