Ticker Trouble

Its been quiet here on the blog as I have been focused on thoughts elsewhere. 

We've had an adventure and it will continue on through the coming weeks.

If you are inclined to prayer, I would love you to lift up my mom and dad (Karen and Fil.)

My mom found out last week that she will need open-heart surgery. 

Through a series of events this surgery will most likely happened sooner than originally scheduled.

We are still awaiting news on the specifics. The good news is that at the moment she is in a top-rate hospital; she is in a really good place.

I am scheduled (based on original surgery dates) to fly out on Saturday, so in the meantime I am planning and cooking and cleaning and preparing things so The Mister can hold-the-fort while I'm away. Its likely the blog will be quiet this week...but I'll update through the comments on this post for those who have asked to be in-the-know.  

I know she is going to pull through like a champ, but I also know that she appreciates all who are praying on her behalf. 

xoxo

Because Sometimes Bathroom Humor Really Is Funny

It never fails.

The minute I say I'm going to do something on the blog my life completely gets in the way.

So if you are here for the Teapot Tutorial that was promised on Wednesday, I'm sorry. Its coming soon!

To add insult to injury, I'm about to tell you something not spoken of here....

I'm not a fan of bathroom humor.

Like, really, not a fan.


I don't know why, its just the way I'm wired.

However the DNA of anti-bathroom humor must not be a dominant trait because I happened to produce two offspring that think talking about (or making sounds like) obnoxious functions of certain body parts is pretty hilarious.

This fact is compounded by the fact that I have a thirteen year-old for a son.

If you have a three-year old, you know what I'm talking about...now add a decade (with a dash of wit and a few wacky hormones) and the hilarity adds exponentially.

The kids have been studying Astronomy for the last month in their science class.

The text has been great and they've really enjoyed this course. They've especially enjoyed the study of planets, in particular the planet of Uranus.

There were giggles and guffaws coming from downstairs last week that led me to believe school-work was not being completed. So I went to take control of my rowdy students....but when The Boy saw me charging down the stairs in haste, he said, "Mom, I've GOT to read this to you, the writers of this book HAD to have done this on purpose," and then he proceeded to read the following excerpts - out loud.

Seeing Uranus - At its brightest, Uranus can be seen with the naked eye if you know just where to look.

What Uranus is made of - The atmosphere of Uranus is mostly hydrogen gas, with helium and tiny amounts of other gases.

Moons of Uranus - Uranus has at least 22 moons, although there may be more that are discovered.

Uranus's Rings - Uranus has rings that are made up of dust. The outer ring is particularly dark.

People, I am not making this up. And while The Boy read these things to me I fell into a fit of laughter that rendered me useless for nearly an hour.

I was tickled. I was. 

I'm still kind of giggly about it now.

On Sunday I had The Boy read it to The Mister, and we all laughed again. 

It reminded The Mister of when he was in graduate school and happened upon the chapter on flatulence in the Merck Manual. Most importantly he remembered the clever writing of the Essay on Flatulence that just happens to be in the right-hand side bar at this link*. 

Seriously, who ever wrote that essay had to have had a fun day at the writing desk.

So there you have it...I have reached the pinnacle of blogger writing. I've managed talked about flatus and Uranus in one post.

I do believe my career as a blogger may be coming to an end.

*To see the essay on the Merck site you need to scroll down a bit.

Three Things

This weekend was a whirlwind that I was grateful to be a part of....

For the record, there is nothing that makes this girl more grateful for her health than having been sick for the majority of the New Year. It felt great to be out this weekend at several parties and then to church on Sunday.

Today I have three things to tell you:

First, if you are expecting glass pendant necklaces to show up at your door (or in my etsy shop) it's gonna be awhile.

I have had the WORST time with ink-bleeding after the pendants have been put together. They look awesome for 48 hours (see above) and then ever-so-slowly the colors begin to bleed. I had tried a half-dozen ways to figure this out to no avail. Some inks seem to be worse than others. But I won't be deterred, I've gone to the craft store and bought the biggest jar of sealant I could find: Modge Podge. (Fingers crossed) 

Next item on the agenda: Birthday Ideas

Its at this time of year I begin to think about The Girl's birthday. This year I am so behind on the theme but I am highly considering an New York City Theme. 

Why?

Well, The Girl doesn't know it, but I'm taking her to NYC in March!!! I'm so excited! (and I just can't hide it...what song is that?) I have wanted to go to NYC for a very long time, but The Mister isn't too keen. So when I found out a friend of mine is headed there in March and didn't want to go alone I jumped on the chance to tag along. She has two daughters about the same age as The Girl, so we're making it a girls weekend. 

Have I mentioned I'm excited?

Last, but not least, I have had several inquiries about this picture posted last week:

As you know I was inspired to make a Tea Cozy, but the original pattern was knit.  I had hoped to stick to that original pattern but the knitting took so ding-dang long I just. Couldn't. Cope.

So, I decided to try to translate that same pattern into crochet.

My plan is to share that pattern (if you could call it that) with you in a tutorial I hope to post by Wednesday...so if you are crochet inclined and in need of a fun and quick project, check back towards the middle of the week.

Here are some more pics so you can see all sides of the cozy:

Happy Monday!

Backpacking Through Joshua: Week 1

I am not a backpacker.

But I married one.

I'll never forget that date (toward the early part of our relationship) when he told me that he was passionate about throwing 7 to 10 days worth of supplies into the lightest backpack he could find and traipsing up a mountain...for fun.

One of The Mister's favorite memories (and was an event in his life that he remembers bringing lots of growth and maturity) was right after high school. He went on a 5-week backpacking trip with the Forest Service in the Grand Teton National Park.

Yes. As in, over-a-month, using an icy cold Colorado stream as a bathtub.

I'm not entirely fussy. As a matter of fact I'm fairly low-maintenance, but I do consider a hot shower and clean underwear in the Top 10 of my list of daily desires. So you won't likely see me backpacking for more than a weekend.

Which is why I am thrilled to be a part of the Backpacking Through Joshua: A Virtual Adventure Bible study, led by Amber from Still His Girl.  It's a six-week hike with the luxury of my warm bed and in-door plumbing.

The questions for discussion this week were:

1. What made you decide to join? And what do you hope will come with this study?


2. In what ways have you found God to be faithful recently? If you have a hard time answering this, why do you think why?

So...here I go...

I'm here because I love the book Joshua. Its filled with encouragement and hope. It helps me to remember that ordinary people can be used by God to do great things.

I have much of Joshua underlined...verses and passages I go to in times of confusion, trouble, sorrow, hardship, doubt, fear, and in times of unbelief.

Joshua's first chapter opens with a powerful encouragement to be "strong and courageous." The Author doesn't just give empty words without a way to be successful, between each admonition to be "strong and courageous" are applicable ways to be so: focus our sights on Gods Truth and Faithfulness,

In the chapters (and weeks) to come we will be given great encouragement to hold fast when confusions and doubt have laid claim to our hearts;

"...hold fast to the Lord as you have until now."

~Joshua 23:8

We'll be reminded of God's great love for us and how we should respond to that love;

"Watch yourselves carefully! Love the Lord your God!"

(NET)

~Joshua 23:11 

We're given hope that our real-life backpacking journey, with all its narrow, uphill moments that may come with weary bodies and blistered feet, are for a purpose greater than our minds can comprehend. It's a divine journey, and God has a Divine hand on those who are willing to trust Him through the troubled parts.

Its for these reasons and reminders that I am here.

As for God's faithfulness recently... I'm going to be honest: This week has been difficult for me, as it has for many of my friends and family who have ties to Tucson. I will readily admit that I have wondered why it appears that evil is allowed to prevail?

As they buried that precious nine-year old girl yesterday afternoon it brought back memories of two dear friends that buried their children nearly two years ago. I've had to process and pray about old fear that gets stirred up each time a tragedy strikes.

I've struggled with fear that makes me want to render everything dangerous...I shouldn't travel because of terrorists; I should avoid crowds for all the unstable people in the world; I should hold to my children tight, lest they be taken away.


But that isn't faith. Those things are not what God has promised. God's promise includes hope and a future.

Not one of God's good promises have failed...every single one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)

When my heart cries out; when I see lives taken and troubles set in, I am tempted to despair...I don't have to choose to fear because know matter the earthly outcome, the Truth is that the goodness of God has, is, and always will prevail.

God will not be held back; not by people, or things. Not by circumstances, nor the evils of this world.

Because my mind and heart were low, I was having trouble writing down my thoughts this week, but as I flipped ahead in the book of Joshua and pondered how I would write of my faith in God's faithfulness and how I had seen it this week, I was wondering what-in-the-world I would say? (Which is a shame, because I have seen God's faithfulness countless time in my own life, and in those who have been brave enough to share their hearts and lives with me.)

As I watched and read stories coming out of Tucson, as I talked with those I love who live in the middle of that city, I was encouraged with glimmers of the promise of Joshua 3:5 being fulfilled once again...

...The Lord will do amazing things among you.

Is God faithful?

Yes. 

Yes, He is. 

And I thank Him for His encouragement this week. I thank Him in advance for the encouragement sure to come.

For this adventure through Joshua I'm a backpacker. 

I cannot wait to see what I set my eyes upon when I look on the vistas and valleys of my days on the trail.

In North Carolina News

Homeschool Hardknocks

The students of the La Vida Academy have complained loudly today at the unfairness of the administration.

While the students of traditional school are celebrating a snow day, the slave-driving head teacher, Mrs. CoffeeGal forced them to take the assigned English test.

When asked to comment on her decision to continue school in spite of the neighborhood kids who play in the icy streets, Mrs. CoffeeGal simply replied, "Too bad, so sad. Please take out your composition notebooks."

The school cafeteria worker wasn't quite as cold (pun intended). Feeling sorry for the students she put a kettle on the stove in preparation of hot chocolate with sprinkles and turned up the broiler for a cinnamon-toast breakfast. "Unfortunately, I burned the first batch, but the students don't mind when the fire alarms sound, they enjoy a good fire drill in the snow."

When asked to give a statement on having to work in such treacherous and blizzard like conditions she said, "I don't mind too much. I get to work in my fuzzy slippers and drink as much coffee as I please."

The students did back-pedal just a bit when at 10:00a a recess was called. They proclaimed their gratitude with rosy cheeks and runny noses and said, "Its really cold outside!"




While sitting down to a cup of tea, Mrs. Coffee gal seemed to thaw out a bit. "You know," she said, "its hard for these kids to work through a traditional snow day, but they will be happy come April when we declare a 'sunshine day' and head out for a day-hike or a picnic in the park."

Spring is Coming

This weekend I had planned a plethora of activity for myself that involved the selling of Girl Scout cookies, the seeing of freinds, a date night with my husband (both the kids got invited to a sleepover, so we had planned to go out alone) and making more necklaces.

Unfortunately, my streak of unhealthiness is lingering on and on.

So, my plans were changed. 

Its just as well...plans change, don't they? I was never more aware as I was Saturday at noon when my mom called to tell me about the tragedy unfolding in my hometown. 

Other than my oldest sister-in-law, all of our extended family lives there... it was surreal to watch an area that I've been to, landscape I know very well, be the focal point of a national tragedy.

My heart was sad. It still is.

All weekend long I sat and sniffled... and crocheted... and listened to the tragic news...and vacillated between heartache and anger... and choosing to believe.

I was trying to make sense of something that cannot be sensical, then I remembered...

Spring is coming...

We won't be able to wrap our head around the sad events in Tucson, and we'll likely not forget. But I do know that God is in the business of making beauty from ashes. 

So today, I leave you with the words of Steven Curtis Chapman's song, Spring is Coming... (written after he lost his 5 year-old daughter in a tragic accident)

We planted the seed while the tears of our grief soaked the ground 

The sky lost its sun, and the world lost its green to lifeless brown 

Now the chilling wind has turned the earth hard as stone 

And silently seed rise beneath ice and snow 

And my heart's heavy now 

But I'm not letting go of this hope I have that tells me 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

It won't be long now, it's just about here 

Hear the birds start to sing 

Feel the life in the breeze 

Watch the ice melt away 

The kids are coming out to play 

Feel the sun on your skin 

Growing strong and warm again 

Watch the ground: there's something moving 

Something is breaking through 

New life is breaking through 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

And it won't be long now, it's just about here 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

(Out of these ashes, beauty will rise) 

And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear 

(Sorrow will be turned to joy) 

Spring is coming, Spring is coming 

(All we hoped for soon will appear) 

It won't be long now, it's just about here 

(Out of the dark clouds, beauty will shine) 

(All above in heaven, rejoice) 

(Spring is coming soon) 

(Spring is coming soon)

I believe its true: For those in the wake of tragedy. For those suffering in other ways. 

For me and for you....

Spring is coming.

Giveaway Winner!

I had a wonderful time reading all your good memories this weekend.

They were all so good that I couldn't pick one so I used the Random Integer maker on the internet to pick for me:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

12

Timestamp: 2011-01-10 13:29:36 UTC

So Diedre of For Such A Time As This, you won! Let me know which one you want...the bird or the house in the country.

Congratulations!

I hope to have more necklaces up in the etsy shop this afternoon!

Second Sunday

Matthew 6:26

Dark Morning at the Car Doctor

Last Tuesday I was denied when I tried to get my car serviced.

This morning The Mister woke me up at an ungodly hour and we are now sitting in the lobby sipping car-dealership coffee and waiting while both our cars get check-ups. Usually they have some delicious bread from the Great Grain Company sitting out...apparently even the bakers aren't up yet.

I've been dating this man for 18 years, and this is what its come too: early morning dates over free bread and java.

I'll take it!

Really my job this morning is to help my husband from the ledge...apparently the minivan has motor mount issues and is currently being held together by a wish and a prayer. The good news is it isn't anything a bagillion dollars can't fix.

I'm exaggerating of course, its only gonna be half-a-bagillion dollars... I think we'll have another cup of complimentary coffee to make up the difference.

In other news, I have a cold. I haven't been sick in five years, and now I've had stomach flu and a head cold within ten days. Hopefully, I'm getting it all done with for the next half a decade!

With all my sniffling and sneezing, life is good and I've really enjoyed reading comments from yesterday. Don't forget to sign up to win a necklace!

I guess we're going to have to leave the van here awhile. Maybe I can sweet talk my man into some Guglhpf for breakfast....on second thought, maybe I'll spring for the croissants since he just bought me a shiny new motor mount...its just what I've always wanted! ;)

Happy Saturday!

First Friday... and a Giveaway

It's here! It's here!

Friday. My favorite day of the week.

Let's eat cupcakes!

These are Maple Walnut cupcakes from my new cookbook.

See... I kept it close just so I could get my own batter stains in it.

These sweet babies are delicious. A very grown-up sort of cupcake if I do say so myself. The frosting is made from real maple syrup (and eggs and LOTS of butter) and it reminds me of the Maple Long-John donuts my parents used to buy when I was a kid.

I remember wondering why they would choose a boring brown donut when the rainbow sprinkled one was clearly so much better. Now I know.

I'm sure you're not here for the cupcakes...

You're here to see what I'm giving away today.

Well, here you go:

Actually, I'm gonna give you a choice (just in case you are not interested in birds and nests...)

I know this might be hard to see...it's a wonderful pastoral setting with a brook and a bridge and a wee little house in the woods,surrounded by flowers and Camellia in bloom.

Both necklaces come on an organza ribbon "chain" with clasp.

So here's what you do....

Leave a comment and tell me about something you love - now or when you were a kid. Then tell me what necklace you want if you win!

You don't have to have a blog, but you do have to have a valid email address. If your comment is a non-reply sort, then I cannot reach you to send you your prize!

If you do have a blog, I would love for you to tell your bloggy friends to join the fun.

I will pick a winner on Monday, January 10, 2011.

If you don't win I will have several necklaces in my etsy shop on Monday for $9.00 a piece (plus $1 shipping and handling).

Good luck!

Work(s) in Progress

I was gonna wait until tomorrow to post this topic, but I'm so excited to tell you... I can't wait.

Last week I mentioned I was going to try my hand at a little glass pendant making.

Well, I think I'm getting the hang of it...

Birds and flowers and newness of spring are my favorite. I love pretty paper, vintage art, and shiny things.

Bob Ross had Happy Little Trees, and these happy little crafts are making my week.

Here's a secret: These pendants are already spoken for, but I may or may not be hosting a giveaway this weekend here on the blog...so tell your friends, and come back tomorrow afternoon with your comments ready.

In fabric news, a have a new attachment (actually is was a quilting-set of four) for my sewing machine so I thought I would make a quilted spring-colored table runner for my dining room. This may take awhile...mostly because I don't have a pattern - I'm kind of making things up as i go - But also cuz im fairly convinced that quilting isn't one of my gifts. It makes me cuss.

You can see the quilt pieces beneath the yarn.

On the needles I've started a tea-pot cozy from a Crochet With Raymonds pattern (a blogger I originally found on Tangled Happy - which is a GREAT compilation blog on yarn-craft).

To be honest, I like knitting but it isn't my favorite yarn craft (I only cuss when purling.)

However, I'm going to love making the flowers for the top. I'm going to look at it like a marathon...knitting is the running 26-miles part, but crocheting the flowers will be the pasta feast before the race is finished.

I'm so grateful that spring, summer and fall come after winter. Those are my three favorite months.

Winter is...well... winter; pretty in its own right but so ding-dang frigid. The way I figure, when it's so cold outside that even your teapot needs to dress warm, she might as well be adorned in cheery attire.

That's the plan for this month - to surround myself with spring-type make-ables until the temps rise to at least 65 degrees. Then it will be time to tend the garden again...







Ah, the garden...now that is my favorite thing...but let's not count the tomatoes before they hatch.

Don't forget to stop by (and tell a friend!) tomorrow afternoon to see what I'm giving away!

Dinner Tonight?

We eat a lot of chicken.

My kids call it boring.

I call it consistent.

There is one recipe they don't complain about, and I love it because its quick, easy and tasty. Its a favorite winter meal.

So, I'm gonna share.

Lets call it  Kellie's Consistent Chicken

Uh, never mind, call it what you want...especially since there's a good chance I found this on someone's blog five years ago....if its your recipe, you can call it: Kellie's Chicken Recipe She Stole Off the Internet
please let me know, and I'll be happy to give you credit! ;)

Here is what you need:

1 Box stuffing (I use Stove Top in Chicken or Turkey)
1 apple
a handful of broken walnuts
olive oil
3-4 chicken breasts
Onion Powder
Pepper
Salt
White Wine (opt.)

Once I tried to go all Haute Couture Cuisine and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top...I thought it would add a lovely element of flavor to the palate. The Eaters in this house went mutinous. They hold very strongly to the cinnamon-belongs-in-baked-goods-only principle. C'est la vie!

Cook your stuffing according to package. I usually substitute 1/4 - 1/2 bottle cup white wine for the water.

Place stuffing in a baking dish sprayed with baking spray.

Take chicken breasts and place on stuffing.

Sprinkle chicks with salt, onion and pepper.

Slice apple.

Place sliced apple on chicks.

Sprinkle Walnuts on top.

Drizzle with Olive Oil.

Place in an oven at 375 for 35 minutes.

I meant to take a picture of the finished product, but we ate it.

Serve, and watch those around you talk about what a great cook you are (even your husband, who doesn't like "mixed" food.)

I usually serve this with a green veggie (green beans/snap peas) or a side salad. Never usually both.

Happy Eating!

PS: If you happen to subscribe to Cooking Light, this months recipe is DEVOTED to chicken....my kids will so happy.

Think Again

I thought this post would be coming to you via the car dealership where I get my oil changed. Well not my oil, but the oil in the minivan.

As it turns out my thoughts of multitasking maintenance between schLepping children to hither and yon was a pipe dream. The mechanic wanted three hours of my minivan-time and I could only sacrifice one...so instead I'm sitting in the parking lot (waiting for Girls Scouts to dismiss), trying to redeem my time.

The good news? The calendar is completely open in May!

Car maintenance make me grumpy. It's time consuming and expensive and I knowing nothing of engines and 60 weight oil. In the arena of autos I am completely out of control. That's three-strikes right there.

Let's look on the bright side...it's a beautiful day, and by the time I get home I'm pretty sure the UPS man will have delivered three large packages to my house.

While in Arizona my family was blessed with generous and thoughtful gifts. Unfortunately Pillow Pets and cordless glue guns take up a lot of suitcase space, so my mom was kind enough to send us the boxes through the mail.

It'll be like Christmas all over again! And it couldn't come at a better time. I have a tea date on Friday and I need my new Martha Stewart cookbook to make a tasty treat! I'll let you know what I make.

Well, thanks for killing time with me. I wouldn't want to type at anyone else for 20 minutes but you...

Happy day!

Mundane Monday

I'm seriously lacking anything of value to say today.

So let me tell you about a little purchase I made before the holidays that makes me happy.

Its my Batter Dispenser.

I know, I know, you probably all have one and I am the last to the party. Seriously, why didn't you tell me about this? Cuz it has revolutionized my pancake, waffle and muffin mojo. How did I live in my kitchen without it?

Today was a good first-day back to "reality", and although last night I was lamenting that all of life can't be one big party (wouldn't that be fun?), I was glad to hear the whir-whir-whirring of the dryer this morning while the kids scratched their pencils across paper and rolled eyes at their teacher.

How's that for a run-on sentence?

Unfortunately this day wasn't so mundane that I had time to be idle, or to blog before 9:00pm....which means I can't stay to chat because I'm going to keep last years goals (I don't make resolutions) pretty much the same but I'm adding one: be intentional in getting more sleep. 

Wait let me go read last years post to see if this is a goal I made and didn't achieve...Whew! Its not!

Truly, getting to bed earlier isn't the only goal I set this year, and I'll write more on that later this week, but it is an important one. I am fully convinced that lack of sleep changes so many things about how I perceive the world, and how I respond to it. Fatigue makes me weary and dull, and there is such an easy remedy! If I choose to lay my head down!

I'm not a good sleeper. Maybe its FOMO. Maybe its just that I want an hour or two without any distractions or to-do lists, but over the last six months I have gotten really out of whack with going to bed late and getting up too early. Whatever the reason, I'm gonna fix it and be intentional to get rested.

So that's it for this (not so) Mundane Monday. I gotta run, I've got 5 exact minutes before bedtime!

First Sunday

"My dear friends, I'm not writing anything new here. This is the oldest commandment in the book, and you've known it from day one. It's always been implicit in the Message you've heard. On the other hand, perhaps it is new, freshly minted as it is in both Christ and you—

the darkness on its way out

and the True Light already blazing!"

1 John 2:8

(MSG)

Happiest New Year To You!

It's here.

The time of new beginnings.

Some of you may know that I managed to spend my last week of 2010 with a stomach flu that laid me out.

Laid. Me. Out.

Nobody likes a complainer, least of all me, so I'll just tell you that I am thankful for good health...and the ability to keep down a cup of coffee.

I started out the New Year with a trip to the market to fill the pantry with food (the cupboard was reduced to a scrappy box of stale saltines and a couple cans of fruit cocktail. I have no idea what my family ate last week while I was sequestered up stairs, but they're all here and no worse for the wear, so I guess they didn't starve!) and "managed" to carry my weary self out to the craft store. It was a hardship, I can tell you.

All jokes aside, if you want a miraculous cure from what ails you, head to the craft store for the after-Christmas sales...I'm just sayin'.

Oh! I completely forgot to tell you that I got a cordless hot glue gun from my mom and dad, and if you want to see someone insanely happy...well, here you go:

Insanely. Happy.

But that's not what I came here to tell you today...Where was I? Oh, yeah, craft store...I had to go...to get proper glue sticks for the glue gun (who has yet to be named...cuz y'all know she'll have a name.)

I wanted to try my hand at a little pendant making. So I bought some supplies:



I'll let you know how it goes!

2010 has been a wonderful year. Full of so many good things, and the things that weren't so good brought growth and change that were worth the challenges.

New beginnings...sometimes I didn't even know what they were until I had the privilege to look back.

Sometimes it's better that way.

So there you have it, a very rambly post on this first day of 2011.

New Year blessing to you!

PS: I don't have to borrow my favorite baking book from the library anymore...time to make cookie dough stains in a copy of my own! (thanks mom!)

Happiest New Year To You!

It's here.

The time of new beginnings.

Some of you may know that I managed to spend my last week of 2010 with a stomach flu that laid me out.

Laid. Me. Out.

Nobody likes a complainer, least of all me, so I'll just tell you that I am thankful for good health...and the ability to keep down a cup of coffee.

I started out the New Year with a trip to the market to fill the pantry with food (the cupboard was reduced to a scrappy box of stale saltines and a couple cans of fruit cocktail. I have no idea what my family ate last week while I was sequestered up stairs, but they're all here, and no worse for the wear, so I guess they didn't starve) and then I "managed" to carry my weary self out to the craft store. It was a hardship, I can tell you.

All jokes aside, if you want a miraculous cure from what ails you, head to the craft store for the after-Christmas sales...I'm just sayin'.

Oh! I completely forgot to tell you that I got a cordless hot glue gun from my mom and dad, and if you want to see someone insanely happy...well, here you go:

Insanely. Happy.

But that's not what I came here to tell you today...Where was I? Oh, yeah, craft store...I had to go...to get proper glue sticks for the glue gun (who has yet to be named...cuz y'all know she'll have a name.)

I wanted to try my hand at a little pendant making. So I bought some supplies:



I'll let you know how it goes!

2010 has been a wonderful year. Full of so many good things, and the things that weren't so good brought growth and change that were worth the challenges.

New beginnings...sometimes I didn't even know what they were until I had the privilege to look back.

Sometimes it's better that way.

So there you have it, a very rambly post on this first day of 2011.

New Year blessing to you!

PS: I don't have to borrow my favorite baking book from the library anymore...time to make cookie dough stains in a copy of my own! (thanks mom!)

FOMO

While in Arizona I learned I'm a life-long sufferer of FOMO.

Its a chronic condition that apparently runs in my family.

My cousin Katie is the one who informed me of this malady. Seems she has it too.

You can imagine how relieved I was to realize that my Fear Of Missing Out actually has a name.

If you have ever hung out with me you'll know that I am last one to leave a party. I'm the last one to sleep at a slumber party. Y'all know I will undoubtedly wait to the very last minute to go to the bathroom when in conversation, often hollering "Don't have any fun without me!" while I do the pee-pee dance to the restroom.

It's all because of FOMO...I cannot stand to miss out.

One thing I won't be missing in the next six weeks is Ambers Backpacking Through Joshua bible study.

If you haven't been a part of her online bible studies you should be suffering from FOMO...because you're seriously missing out.

Last year I had the privilege to study with Amber and through the book of Daniel. Unfortunately, due to overcommitting (a side effect of FOMO) I was unable to finish. But this semester I know my limits! This will likely be the only weekly study I'll participate in until summer.

So, wanna join? Come on you know you do....

Click here to sign up!

Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas from the La Vida Dulce Family to yours!



(May Santa be as sweet to you as he is to me!)


Luke 20:1-20

Postcard Post: Tamale Tale

There's an urban legend around this kitchen that gets told every year.

Two-and-a-half(ish) decades ago it was tamale time and the Christmas hustle-bustle was in full swing as my family members rushed to different activities.

I was the last in the house as my dad was heading out the door and he turned to me and said, 'Take the masa and put it in the pan we cook tamales in.'

Easy enough.

If you aren't familiar with tamale cooking, you probably don't know that masa is ground corn which is mixed with a bit of shortening and spread over a corn husk, then you place a bit of chili meat in the masa and roll it up. The tamale is then steamed. Back in the day my dad would steam his tamales in a large stock pot.

So I took that stock pot and squished 25 pounds of masa into it, and closed the lid. Unfortunately, I did something I thought would help the process along: I put it on the stove and turned on the burner.

I then proceeded about my day, completely oblivious to smell of burning corn product in the kitchen.

My dad came home from his outing and found his tamale beginnings burnt beyond bail-out.

Apparently, what my dad meant was 'put the masa in the bowl we mix tamales in' , meaning the silver mixing bowl pictured above.

Its a lesson I likely never forget because every year, wether I'm here to help or not, I'll get a phone call or text that says: Tamale day! Wish you were here to burn the masa.

Today is the big day here in the house that is my home-away-from-home. We'll laugh and work and tell stories that are always told...maybe even make a few more memories for the years to come. Then we'll clean up with the delicious tamale aroma wafting from the steamer, and wait for the eating to begin.

Arizona "Postcard" Post

It's been nearly 32 hours since our arrival to the desert.

The picture above was in Memphis, TN...our flight was delayed but we were happy. We knew that warmer days were ahead.

So far I've enjoyed a long walk in the sunshine, ate my dads cooking, attended a cookie exchange and visited with my family (and those are just the highlights!)...already time is going too quickly.

Were having a blast! Wish you were here!
Love,
Kellie

Giving Thanks for Snowflakes and Friends

I've a new obsession.

Snowflakes.

So I've made one... or twenty.

These babies aren't cold, don't melt, and feel like a present each time you open them.

If you google 'paper snowflake pattern' you'll find all sorts of ways to make a 4, 5, or six-pointed snowflake, and you too, will have snowflake neurosis  passion.

I'm so easily side-tracked, I didn't actually come here to talk about snowflakes...

I wanted to tell you something I've been thinking about lately...

Last year The Girl joined the Girl Scouts. The first half of the year she enjoyed all the things she learned at the meetings, but had trouble connecting with the other girls. By mid-February she was ready to quit.

I was beginning to wear thin of all the prodding I was having to do on meeting days, but I was also very worried about the spring camping trip...the one I would send The Girl to alone...y'all know that I was fretful. I was thinking about letting her quit just so I wouldn't have to face my own fears about letting her go.

I'm so glad I didn't allow her (or me!) to quit.

It was on that camping trip that she met The BBFF or British Best Friend Forever (her mother doesn't know I'm writing about her, so I'll keep her somewhat anon)

The BBFF and her family are living in America for an interim, and since last March these two have come to be great friends.

When these girls are together, they are truly connected at the hip.

The amazing part is that I've had the privilege to get to know The BBFF's mum, Alison, who has been willing to spend some time with me and has patiently put up with all my inquiry: What is Cricket? Where do you shop? Why is William the Prince of Wales when he lives in London? Do you eat peanut butter? Was it hard to learn to drive on the 'right' side of the road? What is Marmite? 

What she doesn't realize is that she is teaching me far more than answering the silly questions of an American coffee drinker. My tea-times with her have been so enjoyable and helped me to see that she and I have far more in-common than not. With each visit I've been given a glimpse of God's providence.

I could have quit Girls Scouts last year, when it might have been easier... but at the loss of many wonderful things, including a new friend. Not just for the girls, but for Alison and me.

Yesterday afternoon she stopped by with a gift: homemade lemon curd...what a treat!

I can't wait to make some proper scones...

This morning my heart is full of thanks: for tea-times, new friends, and reaping the benefits of lessons learned.

Dabbling, Dilly-Dallying, and Frittering the Hours Away

Aren't those word in the title nice?

I'd much rather use those words to describe what I'm doing today than use the dreaded "P" word.

No, I just won't use that word at all.

Its been a lovely, albeit chilly, day.

If all goes according to plan, 168 hours from this moment I will be arriving at the Phoenix airport.

To say I'm excited would be gross understatement.

I cannot wait.

Of course, I am making a list and checking it twice: Clean house, wash laundry, call house-sitter, and a bunch of other silly stuff that must be accomplished before one travels.

Yet, I have managed to wander about doing a lot of everything and accomplishing nothing. Frittering, if you will. So the list never grows shorter.

You see, my problem is that I am hindered by excitement. This week alone holds two Christmas parties, two fun "play dates" with my friends, two basketball games, three days of school, our family Christmas celebration, and some other stuff that I can't seem to remember right now. Then I'll hop on a plane and see more people I love, who live where the weather will be a toasty 78 degrees.

I plan to bring home a tan for New Years Eve.

Of course, I don't know what I'll do with it when I get back home (its kind of silly to have a tan in winter clothing), but at least I'll have one. It may be the cheapest souvenir I can find.

Anyway, I'm worse than a child. Wandering about wondering what to do next, without really finishing the task at hand.

I do hope I finish this post. ;)

This season just makes me happy. So I'm (obviously) not worried about getting everything done. I work better under pressure. (Or at least thats what I like to tell myself.)

Hmmm....now let's see.... should I make candy, or address Christmas cards, or wash laundry...or...Oh wait, this looks interesting...

167....

;)

A Little Of This and That on a Saturday Morning

I love technology.

Last night The Girl had her BFF over to spend the night. There was giggling and whispers heard from across the hall.

At 11:30p I knocked on the door and told them I was going to bed. They were quietly tucked under piles of covers, watching the end of a movie. They planned to go to sleep when it was finished.

At midnight I was wide awake, reading a new blog I found:  Attic 24.

The laughter across the hall suddenly began to build. I wasn't slumbering, nor even close, but I was very cozy and warm...I didn't really want to get out of my bed to ask them to be quiet.

So I did the next best thing: I sent The Girl a text, reminding them that it was a bit late.

In about three minutes all was quiet, with an occasional stifled giggle. Which made me smile.

I thought myself very clever.

I asked them this morning if they got my text. They hadn't. They had quieted themselves on their own. Confessing that "after midnight you feel so crazy and wild! We were glad to go to sleep."

I hope she'll say that 10 years from now.

On a completely different note, have you noticed that the 80's are in full-swing fashion these days?

I've noticed the comeback of leg-warmers. I wore those back in the day... only I wore mine as an accessory to shirts with the shoulder parts cut out...I hope those don't come back.

I had nearly a full skein of yarn used for another project and thought I might make The Girl some leg-warmers for Christmas. Unfortunately, I got 9/10th's of the way finished and ran out of yarn...hmmm. I hope they still sell this stuff.

I also found a great pattern at tangled happy. The Girl Scouts pick secret sisters each year at Christmas. Our secret sister will receive this bag.

 It stitched easily and VERY quickly. I did it in 30 minutes, in the car, waiting for piano lessons to be over. So if your so inclined, or you need a quick gift idea, go hook this one up!

All right, the Gigglers are up and have asked for pancakes...an easy request that I am happy to oblige.

Happy Weekend!

The View From my Windows

Every morning he brings me coffee and opens the shades on our south facing windows.

I sip and see the sunrise waking up the trees.

By the time I need my second round, I slowly, tenderly, tip-toe downstairs, in hopes that I won't wake the dog, who'll need a pat, and want to go outside.

If I'm successful, and sneak back upstairs, she'll sleep and I won't have to open the door to the frigid morning...

...and then wait for her to come back.

On a winter weekend I might view the coziest sight of all...

Of all the things I love to see when I look out my window, this is the one I love the most...

We joke that he's the king of this castle, in his sherpa-lined flannel and red ball cap.

We joke, but its true.

As I care for the alligators that live in the mote the home and its inhabitants, he actually braves the cold (even for the dog) and surveys the land.

Yes, that is my favorite view of all...

Of course, I love it when the woodland creatures come out to play...

I took this video several weeks ago...you can hear me talk in my best Mutual of Omaha voice...which quickly gets set aside for all the excitement.

If you think I get excited about this "huge-little family", you should have seen me the day a mama deer was trying to graze while her twin fawns were trying to nurse...now that was an amazing view from my window.

Happy Friday!

In the Nest

I'm feeling pensive today.

This always happens 

when I expose my heart,
as I did last night-- 

Awkwardly sharing

the deeper places 

that only the Lord

 and I 

can see. 

Honestly, 

I didn't share much, 

but a swatch cut from the tapestry of life 

still sometimes stings... 

Though differently than it did before. 

Its hard, 

choosing vulnerability.

Hard to share the deeper things of life 

that have shaped me, 

held me, 

transformed me 

into who I am today. 

Still...

 I'm tempted 

to create a different image,

than the one 

cut for me.

Though I am unable to do it.

Time has taught me,

to share 

(when the time is right)

 the good

as well as the bad.

I doubt I will ever

do it gracefully...

but the privilege of

Remembering,

Reminding,

Representing,

all things,

those we can see and understand,

and those we can't, 

can be..

"...used for good, to accomplish what is now being done...
so don't be afraid."

Life is messy. 

Even ugly, 

sometimes I still want to run -- 

runaway 

from places and names, 

times and troubles. 

Run, 

from myself.

But Truth tells me,

I'm never alone.

(Neither are you.)

I am,

and was,

and always will be,

thankfully,

blessedly,

amazingly,

tucked in,

under-wing, 

of the 

Almighty.

~~~

He will cover you with His feathers,

and under His wing you will find refuge,

His faithfulness will be your shield.

Psalm 91:4