Okay, I know. What is the point in blogging if you never blog!? Its been a while. But here we are at Christmas and Im just catching my breath, preparing for the new year that is just 5 days away! I think Im ready. Heck, at this point, I have no choice!
Ill save pictures of Christmas and things we did for another time. Today I want to talk about something that is near and dear to me.....FOOD!
It was suggested that with all my cooking and recipe developing, that I blog. So I will at least include it, however sporadically.
If you know me, my life pretty much revolves around food. Family and food. Arts and crafts with food. Gift giving of food.... Yeah, I like food :) One of my favorite things about cooking and being a woman of the house is that I can find creative ways to use leftovers. You can call it recycling, repurposing, but I call it yum!
For instance, tonight we are having a breakfast strata (a.k.a. savory bread pudding) for dinner, using leftover Christmas stuffing, potatoes, bacon and eggs. These are all things I have in my fridge and need to be used because everyone is sick of eating them in their original form. This is a sure winner at my house and is a staple for brunch type meals:
Breakfast Strata
3 or 4 cups stuffing (or potatoes, roasted, mashed, biscuits, stale bread, the list goes on....)
Bacon or sausage (or ham, or turkey, pepperoni, you get the idea)
Leftover chopped veggies and onions, 1-2 cups max
8-10 eggs, or 2 pints egg beaters
1/2 milk, cream, etc.
salt and pepper, 1/2 tsp. mustard powder if you want it...
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray casserole pan with nonstick spray.
Layer leftovers in pan, starting with the starchy food (i.e. stuffing). Sprinkle meat over the top. Blend eggs and milk, with salt + pepper , pour into pan on top of everything else. Bake 20-35 minutes. Keep an eye on it, but dont worry, its hard to mess this one up! You can change the pan size and ingredient amounts to accomodate whatever you have on hand, little or big, just change the baking time too!
So here are a few more examples of how Christmas dinner (Goose with apricot stuffing, truffled lamb with chantrelle mushroom rice, roasted butternut squash with parsnips, brussel sprouts with pecans, and rye bread stuffing) will be repurposed this weekend (because, you know, Im supposed to start a diet on Monday, so the leftovers have to go!):
Butternut parsnip ravioli, lamb risotto, served alongside zucchini latkes, for the last night of Hanukkah.
It might seem silly to you, but this is how I make dinners stretch and ease the burden of cooking for myself. I freeze leftovers (extra brussel sprouts for St. Patty's Day, leftover cream cheese icing to be used later for pumpkin cheesecake muffins, the goose liver from my Christmas dinner for pate, Halloween candy for Christmas fudge and gingerbread houses!) Why waste it when you can freeze it for later?
My strata's done. Gotta go! Tomorrow breakfast: Eggnog french toast!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Things Ive Done...
I copied this from my friend Nani. Its a very long list. Its kind of neat to see what our friends have done. Copy it, send it to me, make your own little notes here...
If it’s pink, I have…
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game (Go Mariners!)
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland (not yet...but it's a lifelong dream- ditto for me, Nani)
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie (well, a commercial...!)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy - found it!
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - actually, we drove across it.
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone - my tail bone, which is really no comparison I hear
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands - Im a ninja
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Ill update this next year to include "killed"
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office -highschool LOL
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet What?
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Prepared a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. deleted this one... With good reason Im sure
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco - or perhaps been IN a disco dance?
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away - for one whole evening!
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz and polka.
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter (apparently this is a military discipline notice, so no, not I)
If it’s pink, I have…
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game (Go Mariners!)
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland (not yet...but it's a lifelong dream- ditto for me, Nani)
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie (well, a commercial...!)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy - found it!
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - actually, we drove across it.
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone - my tail bone, which is really no comparison I hear
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands - Im a ninja
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Ill update this next year to include "killed"
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office -highschool LOL
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet What?
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Prepared a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. deleted this one... With good reason Im sure
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco - or perhaps been IN a disco dance?
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away - for one whole evening!
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz and polka.
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter (apparently this is a military discipline notice, so no, not I)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
I love LOVE that God uses many ways to talk to us. To reach us and get us to understand. And He is so patient! He is so good to me :) I often find that He speaks to me directly, but when I wont listen or I dont talk to Him about it, He finds me at church. This is one of the ways that I know Im where I should be - that the sermon or topic applies specifically to the battle I am facing that week or month. I am so grateful for this. He has provided for every need, even before I know I need it!
I had what felt like the worst week last week. Thankfully, I had friends and sisters to let me cry out my problems and encourage me. My husband and I have had a period of bitterness in our marriage. Of being angry at our spouse and unable to reconcile it truly. Both of us were hurt and nobody wants to be the one to fix it. So it goes unsaid or unfinished and gets worse. That was were I was last week, among children, chores and everything else. Feeling alone and overwhelmed. And as I sat in my book study on Thursday, which is about being a Godly wife, of all things, I was still in that bitter place. And in a way, I was already digging my feet in, refusing to do what God was asking. Saturday, I cried my heart out before the Lord, and He said to me: Rejoice! Find joy in your husband like you find joy in me. I was so frustrated that I refused. It cant be the answer, can it? Sunday, the pastor spoke on our relationship with Christ from Ephesians 5. I have heard this passage before and I have heard before that our marriage with our spouse is a reflection of our relationship with God, but this time it was for me. Not just a symbolic reflection, but a literal reflection. Your marriage will flourish or fail according to how your relationship with Jesus is fairing. And mine? Not so hot. Yeah, I was there. And I was committed, but was I participating? Was I investing any time into my relationship with Christ? Not a whole lot. I wasnt loving Him like He loves me. And I wasnt loving my husband like Christ loves me either. One was a pretty good reflection of the other.
He asked me to love my husband. Really love him. No holding the past against him, no criticizing, no nagging. Jesus doesnt do that. He loves me whether I mess up or not. And I can love my husband that way too. I can start by how I talk to Him.
I asked God to help me put the work into my relationship with Christ. To place that desire there to really seek Him, spend time with Him, love Him. I want to know my Savior better. To fall in love again. And I want that for my earthly marriage also. My attitude is that first step.
I know that this is not going to be easy, but I know that Im not alone. I know that Im loved by the King and that He will be with me thru this, telling me how to love like He loves. I am going to be faithful and obey.
I had what felt like the worst week last week. Thankfully, I had friends and sisters to let me cry out my problems and encourage me. My husband and I have had a period of bitterness in our marriage. Of being angry at our spouse and unable to reconcile it truly. Both of us were hurt and nobody wants to be the one to fix it. So it goes unsaid or unfinished and gets worse. That was were I was last week, among children, chores and everything else. Feeling alone and overwhelmed. And as I sat in my book study on Thursday, which is about being a Godly wife, of all things, I was still in that bitter place. And in a way, I was already digging my feet in, refusing to do what God was asking. Saturday, I cried my heart out before the Lord, and He said to me: Rejoice! Find joy in your husband like you find joy in me. I was so frustrated that I refused. It cant be the answer, can it? Sunday, the pastor spoke on our relationship with Christ from Ephesians 5. I have heard this passage before and I have heard before that our marriage with our spouse is a reflection of our relationship with God, but this time it was for me. Not just a symbolic reflection, but a literal reflection. Your marriage will flourish or fail according to how your relationship with Jesus is fairing. And mine? Not so hot. Yeah, I was there. And I was committed, but was I participating? Was I investing any time into my relationship with Christ? Not a whole lot. I wasnt loving Him like He loves me. And I wasnt loving my husband like Christ loves me either. One was a pretty good reflection of the other.
He asked me to love my husband. Really love him. No holding the past against him, no criticizing, no nagging. Jesus doesnt do that. He loves me whether I mess up or not. And I can love my husband that way too. I can start by how I talk to Him.
I asked God to help me put the work into my relationship with Christ. To place that desire there to really seek Him, spend time with Him, love Him. I want to know my Savior better. To fall in love again. And I want that for my earthly marriage also. My attitude is that first step.
I know that this is not going to be easy, but I know that Im not alone. I know that Im loved by the King and that He will be with me thru this, telling me how to love like He loves. I am going to be faithful and obey.
Keep praying for us!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Never ending summer
I have had the most idyllic and fun filled summer possible! I thought that I should take a moment to update a little, regroup if you will. This week has felt kind of like that. Im on the cusp between summer indulgence and early hibernation. Like sleep walking in fast-forward? Interesting analogy...
Well! So this summer has been crammed full. We have been fishing, camping, berry picking, gardening, bbqing.... It has been one fun thing after another. In June we went to the Highland games, which we plan on doing again. The majority of the month was full of starting a garden at our friends house and planting and we were very blessed with rain, although not enough sun, but things grew and somehow we did not have to travel quite as much to water. Most of the supplies to do the garden were donated also, so even better. If I dont get too lazy, we might actually get some stuff out of it!
July was busy... Fishing, fishing, fishing. But not with great results, which is a dissappointment, but it was fun and we spent a night at the beach. There was a new cousin born into the family! She is healthy and doing well. We also did some mushroom hunting and the kids really got into that. We had soccer games twice a week during July. Seems like we werent home much that month!
And August, which is nearly over, has been really nice. A good balance of sun and rain. Ive been saying it all summer, we will have an indian summer this fall! I really hope this nice weather just rolls right into September! We have picked wild strawberries till we cant stand it, had dinner with family a few times, and last weekend we went to the Alyeska Blueberry Festival, which included pulling a loose tooth and a pie eating contest! Im excited to see what September holds for us!
Now that we are slowing down, we are easing back into school work. We did NOT do school this summer. It just kinda worked out that way. We've had some field trips and some time to think about what we really want to accomplish this next year. Mostly, we want to ease up on the perfectionist, over achiever thing (okay, over achiever Mom, really) and make things more fun. To find the things they really enjoy and run with it if we want. Our oldest wants to be a chef, so we are including that as part of school this year. Nothing to intense.
Well, here's to summer! May winter wait until the last day of October to arrive!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A Challenge
I feel that the Lord has been challenging me lately to grow. To put my faith and His power to the test. To trust Him with things that I normally would try to bully thru or ignore completely. Its all well and good to say that we believe and we love God, but what if we never live like that? What if we go thru this life content with shallow admiration of His power but a sense (however tiny or false) of self sufficiency that ultimately cheats us (and those around us) out of what His power can really do in this world? Im here. This is where I am. I hope I dont lose it or abuse it or defy Him.
I have been asked twice now to do what He asks. I dont know the whole plan, but I trust that He will reveal it to me as needed and provide me with all the resources to accomplish the task, if I take that first step and just do it. Like Peter stepping out on the water to meet Christ. That first step is obedience.
What if our heroes from the bible never took that first step? What if they didnt believe what He asked of them or ignored it because they were afraid? It usually reaped heavy repercussions for them and everyone involved, all because they didnt try. Is that all He really asks? I dont know yet. But I know its the first step.
A few looks at people who took that first step:
Moses - coming before the pharoah took nerve he didnt have on his own. Would he have done it with out being asked? Definitely not!
David - A youth coming against a giant? Maybe in his dreams, but never without God telling him to do it and the simple belief that if he believed, anything was possible.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - A very colorful example of what is possible when we believe and obey what God asks of us.
Amazing things are possible when we are obedient!
A quote from my lesson plan this week:" These three (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) had confidence in their powerful God. They knew that their obedience presented God with the opportunity to work mighty things on their behalf, no matter how frightening the situation! When a frightening situation confronts us, there is only one thing to do: Obey the Lord. Then we can be confident He will work mighty things for us as well, even while we confront any trial life may present."
I have to take that last sentence seriously. Any trial life may present can be frightening, even if it is something as simple as God asking us to start looking at someone how He sees them. To stop believing what we see and what Satan tells us about them, and to allow God to mend our hearts and be open to the the mighty works His power can achieve when we obey. My first step here is to believe what He tells me. To allow Him to change my eyes and heart and mind. I think I can be obedient here.
Thank God that we can take this advice literally : "When a frightening situation confronts us, there is only one thing to do: Obey the Lord".
Pray for me as I practice doing what God asks in all situations. I have a direct line to the Master thru prayer, and He's given me an instruction manual!
I have been asked twice now to do what He asks. I dont know the whole plan, but I trust that He will reveal it to me as needed and provide me with all the resources to accomplish the task, if I take that first step and just do it. Like Peter stepping out on the water to meet Christ. That first step is obedience.
What if our heroes from the bible never took that first step? What if they didnt believe what He asked of them or ignored it because they were afraid? It usually reaped heavy repercussions for them and everyone involved, all because they didnt try. Is that all He really asks? I dont know yet. But I know its the first step.
A few looks at people who took that first step:
Moses - coming before the pharoah took nerve he didnt have on his own. Would he have done it with out being asked? Definitely not!
David - A youth coming against a giant? Maybe in his dreams, but never without God telling him to do it and the simple belief that if he believed, anything was possible.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - A very colorful example of what is possible when we believe and obey what God asks of us.
Amazing things are possible when we are obedient!
A quote from my lesson plan this week:" These three (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) had confidence in their powerful God. They knew that their obedience presented God with the opportunity to work mighty things on their behalf, no matter how frightening the situation! When a frightening situation confronts us, there is only one thing to do: Obey the Lord. Then we can be confident He will work mighty things for us as well, even while we confront any trial life may present."
I have to take that last sentence seriously. Any trial life may present can be frightening, even if it is something as simple as God asking us to start looking at someone how He sees them. To stop believing what we see and what Satan tells us about them, and to allow God to mend our hearts and be open to the the mighty works His power can achieve when we obey. My first step here is to believe what He tells me. To allow Him to change my eyes and heart and mind. I think I can be obedient here.
Thank God that we can take this advice literally : "When a frightening situation confronts us, there is only one thing to do: Obey the Lord".
Pray for me as I practice doing what God asks in all situations. I have a direct line to the Master thru prayer, and He's given me an instruction manual!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Yay! Our moth has emerged!
I was getting kind of worried. It had been in there for over a month, and I was told there was a REALLY good chance it was a parasitic wasp. Meaning, that the caterpillar had a parasitic egg laid on it and when it went into metamorphosis (cuccoon) then the wasp would take over and grow and use the caterpillar for food during this process. Still a really important part of the bug cycle, but kind of creepy and dissapointing. But it was not! It was a MOTH!
The moth (and caterpillar) is a Ruby Tiger Moth. I had never seen one, so this was really special. It was in the container Saturday, just a day or two after the last time I checked. We missed it coming out, but we were able to enjoy it a little since it didnt hardly move until dusk set in. It is, of course, a moth, so it flew away at night. Really cool.
Here are some pics of our little friend:
In reality, it was a magenta color. A real red. Not this rusty brown.
You can look this species up at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_Ruby_Tiger_Moth. The description is for a variation of this, but the picture is good. Or here for a really good pic: http://wordpress.com/tag/ruby-tiger-moth/feed/
Im definitely going to do this again. But this time, we build the cage first! Cant wait for fall so the kids and I can go looking for a new caterpillar.
I was getting kind of worried. It had been in there for over a month, and I was told there was a REALLY good chance it was a parasitic wasp. Meaning, that the caterpillar had a parasitic egg laid on it and when it went into metamorphosis (cuccoon) then the wasp would take over and grow and use the caterpillar for food during this process. Still a really important part of the bug cycle, but kind of creepy and dissapointing. But it was not! It was a MOTH!
The moth (and caterpillar) is a Ruby Tiger Moth. I had never seen one, so this was really special. It was in the container Saturday, just a day or two after the last time I checked. We missed it coming out, but we were able to enjoy it a little since it didnt hardly move until dusk set in. It is, of course, a moth, so it flew away at night. Really cool.
Here are some pics of our little friend:
In reality, it was a magenta color. A real red. Not this rusty brown.
You can look this species up at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_Ruby_Tiger_Moth. The description is for a variation of this, but the picture is good. Or here for a really good pic: http://wordpress.com/tag/ruby-tiger-moth/feed/
Im definitely going to do this again. But this time, we build the cage first! Cant wait for fall so the kids and I can go looking for a new caterpillar.
Monday, June 9, 2008
I love this picture. I wish I could spend my day like this.
This was taken from amethyste at http://amethyste.deviantart.com/
I wish she would put it up for sale!
A craft fair is a torturous and self deprecating event. You spend all your time making mulitples of a handy little item, know that there HAVE to be people who cant live without this one thing. You set up your tables of wares in the cold weather. You sit complacently with a smile on your face, waiting for someone to stop at your booth. You keep smiling when they walk past, but start to grumble and complain silently. You're freezing, you have to pee and it seems everyone around you is selling but not you! End of day 1. Rinse, repeat.
Who are these people who actually make money at this?! What kind of lives do they lead? They must be retired to have so much free time to work on these things. And their children are grown. There can be no other answer. There were some really impressive, beautiful items for sale.
I will NOT be doing another "craft fair". I will go to them, but not work them. I missed out on enjoying lots of kid things and doing some holiday shopping because I was stuck in a booth. I enjoyed the music immensly, but would have enjoyed it more if it had been shared with my family. I did, however, get to visit with all my important friends and family, because they all came out to support me! That was really the highlight of it for me.
So for my future ventures into business, I will be working towards attending the fiber arts festival next March. Look for my hand printed fabrics there. And if you want anything sewn between now and then, email me.
Maybe I will do a booth next year. Like this one:
Im bound to do better.
Who are these people who actually make money at this?! What kind of lives do they lead? They must be retired to have so much free time to work on these things. And their children are grown. There can be no other answer. There were some really impressive, beautiful items for sale.
I will NOT be doing another "craft fair". I will go to them, but not work them. I missed out on enjoying lots of kid things and doing some holiday shopping because I was stuck in a booth. I enjoyed the music immensly, but would have enjoyed it more if it had been shared with my family. I did, however, get to visit with all my important friends and family, because they all came out to support me! That was really the highlight of it for me.
So for my future ventures into business, I will be working towards attending the fiber arts festival next March. Look for my hand printed fabrics there. And if you want anything sewn between now and then, email me.
Maybe I will do a booth next year. Like this one:
Im bound to do better.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Stop, Rewind, freeze
At what point do we stop blaming everyone else for our problems? When do we actually look at ourselves as the cause, and not just the effected? Are we too self centered to see these things? Do we really believe that the actions taken against us are all in malice, or are they reactive? If we trace it all back, where does it go wrong? And who's fault is it REALLY? If we could instantly remove that belief, that we are justified in our actions, then could we possibly change the result - the reciprocated action? Would the means create a new end?
Most definitely.
This is the situation that I find myself in. Something that I have long believed to be one way, and in fact, held as such truth I would have staked my life on it, has been openly denounced as false! Painfully honest is hard to ignore. And I can completely see it as they do, which makes me ashamed at my own behavior. Im sure this is the response that the divulgence was intended to illicit, but all the same, I feel it truly.
So what do I do?
I know that the "lets just see how this goes" attitude gets along for a bit but eventually becomes lazy and reverts to the old behavior. I can only attempt to be at once different. In a sense, this means to start at the beginning. At least for this kind of thing. Old ground has to be recovered, with fresh eyes, ears and hearts. Like looking for a lost ring. If you retrace your steps, you have to be more vigillant than before, more attentive to the things you missed. It could all be uphill, but I see no other way.
Only now do I see the things the Lord has been speaking to me about this week. And Im not sure I get it all completely, but Im listening.
I realize that this is all extremely vague, but such are feelings. Pray that I will embrace this change wholeheartedly and with vigour. It could mean everything.
Most definitely.
This is the situation that I find myself in. Something that I have long believed to be one way, and in fact, held as such truth I would have staked my life on it, has been openly denounced as false! Painfully honest is hard to ignore. And I can completely see it as they do, which makes me ashamed at my own behavior. Im sure this is the response that the divulgence was intended to illicit, but all the same, I feel it truly.
So what do I do?
I know that the "lets just see how this goes" attitude gets along for a bit but eventually becomes lazy and reverts to the old behavior. I can only attempt to be at once different. In a sense, this means to start at the beginning. At least for this kind of thing. Old ground has to be recovered, with fresh eyes, ears and hearts. Like looking for a lost ring. If you retrace your steps, you have to be more vigillant than before, more attentive to the things you missed. It could all be uphill, but I see no other way.
Only now do I see the things the Lord has been speaking to me about this week. And Im not sure I get it all completely, but Im listening.
I realize that this is all extremely vague, but such are feelings. Pray that I will embrace this change wholeheartedly and with vigour. It could mean everything.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
German parents post baby on ebay for 1 Euro http://ap.peninsulaclarion.com/pstories/world/europe/20080524/282540842.shtml
Wow.
I know how they feel. Somedays you just want to get rid of your kid. But WOW.
Wow.
I know how they feel. Somedays you just want to get rid of your kid. But WOW.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Fuzzy friend
Last fall, the kids and I found a fuzzy caterpillar. He was pretty- All black with orange markings. After much research, I determined that it is some kind of fuzzy bear caterpillar, some kind of tiger moth, although I could find none identical to it in any book and no reason that it should be in Alaska at all. So we put it in a baby wipe container packed with leaves, to winter under the porch, with the intention of building a butterfly cage in the spring.
Now, spring came late this year, so we just pulled it out from under the porch about a week ago. We added what green leaves we could find, put in a wet cotton ball for water, and set the container in the garden until the cage is built. Too late! The kids opened the container 2 days ago and it has made a cuccoon on the side wall! Its an interesting cuccoon, dark and fuzzy, but you can see inside of it also. It even looks a little bigger in there today then it did yesterday! So we will keep checking it daily so we will be sure not to miss the wonder of a butterfly/moth emerging. Here are some pics of our little friend from yesterday:
Friday, May 2, 2008
Real learning
Just like nobody really tells you how hard raising kids will be,
Nobody REALLY tells you how difficult that first year of homeschool will be.
For me, it has been a rollercoaster. I have learned so much this past year about my sons and about myself as their teacher and mother. And Im glad to say that my ideas (or rather, ideals) about teaching them at home have changed a lot since last spring. I am even more resolved to continue homeschooling than I was before. .
Many of my friends, and family, are school teachers. I love them all and I love that all of them teach because they love to learn themselves. I wouldnt discourage them from their jobs. But I cannot support a public school system as the only means of teaching our children. Im not un-American. Im un-communist.
Yep, look it up. Kindergarten is a German word and a German institution, although the beginning of mass schooling began WAY before Nazi Germany. If you wanted to turn out (cultivate) an army with one mind, one way of thinking, you would need to start when they were children and teach them all the same thing. Not only that, but you would have to find a way to squash and exterminate any sense of self or free thought. Its my opinion that the majority of American public schools do just this thing. (Ill leave this subject now, but my suggestion to all of you is to at least read "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto, which incedently has nothing to do with Nazi's, that's from another book i cant remember but wholly support)
How many of you hated school? Did you love to learn? How does that work? I love to learn. I could read at a "highschool" level as an 8 year old. And somehow, by the time I was in 7th or 8th grade, I was keenly aware that I had been learning the same thing for a few years now and had only the same to look forward to for the next few years to come. The same curriculum, taught almost the same exact way, to every age group year after year. Monotony! So the only thing I could do was NOT do it! What other option did I have? I certainly wasnt learning and they certainly wouldnt let me learn on my own. So I protested in the only way I could control. Of course, a lot of schools have programs for this, but mine didnt, at least none that applied to my specific abilities, nor was I caught at the right age . So for me, the large part of my education has been obtained by me AFTER leaving the public school system. That means I have done most of my learning as an adult instead of as a child, like we should.
Children are like sponges. You hear it all the time, "dont say that, the kids will repeat it" You bet they will. And lots of other things you never thought they even heard. They can find sense where adults dont, accept truths where adults are unwilling to and find joy where adults cant imagine. The largest part of learning in a child comes thru play and from time to think. If we are constantly bombarding our kids with information and text books and rules for homework, not to mention modern entertainment, when are they getting time to think or play or internalize anything? Thats a big part of what I have seen this year. Im a public schooled parent trying to cut thru the jungle of proposed necessities of higher education, to find my kid and help him reach his full potential. Every time i tried to teach my kids like we were having "real" school, they fought me. They know that's not fun. They know its like prison. People arent made to learn like that.
So now Im kind of back to the beginning. My biggest hope for this year is to spend time exploring life with my kids, letting them learn where they find something of interest. Taking time to allow that everyday tasks and household chores are all part of learning to be an adult, of learning to be part of a community. If I can help them enjoy learning this year, then i will consider myself a success. Cause isnt that what its all about? A joy and appetite for life long learning?
Nobody REALLY tells you how difficult that first year of homeschool will be.
For me, it has been a rollercoaster. I have learned so much this past year about my sons and about myself as their teacher and mother. And Im glad to say that my ideas (or rather, ideals) about teaching them at home have changed a lot since last spring. I am even more resolved to continue homeschooling than I was before. .
Many of my friends, and family, are school teachers. I love them all and I love that all of them teach because they love to learn themselves. I wouldnt discourage them from their jobs. But I cannot support a public school system as the only means of teaching our children. Im not un-American. Im un-communist.
Yep, look it up. Kindergarten is a German word and a German institution, although the beginning of mass schooling began WAY before Nazi Germany. If you wanted to turn out (cultivate) an army with one mind, one way of thinking, you would need to start when they were children and teach them all the same thing. Not only that, but you would have to find a way to squash and exterminate any sense of self or free thought. Its my opinion that the majority of American public schools do just this thing. (Ill leave this subject now, but my suggestion to all of you is to at least read "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto, which incedently has nothing to do with Nazi's, that's from another book i cant remember but wholly support)
How many of you hated school? Did you love to learn? How does that work? I love to learn. I could read at a "highschool" level as an 8 year old. And somehow, by the time I was in 7th or 8th grade, I was keenly aware that I had been learning the same thing for a few years now and had only the same to look forward to for the next few years to come. The same curriculum, taught almost the same exact way, to every age group year after year. Monotony! So the only thing I could do was NOT do it! What other option did I have? I certainly wasnt learning and they certainly wouldnt let me learn on my own. So I protested in the only way I could control. Of course, a lot of schools have programs for this, but mine didnt, at least none that applied to my specific abilities, nor was I caught at the right age . So for me, the large part of my education has been obtained by me AFTER leaving the public school system. That means I have done most of my learning as an adult instead of as a child, like we should.
Children are like sponges. You hear it all the time, "dont say that, the kids will repeat it" You bet they will. And lots of other things you never thought they even heard. They can find sense where adults dont, accept truths where adults are unwilling to and find joy where adults cant imagine. The largest part of learning in a child comes thru play and from time to think. If we are constantly bombarding our kids with information and text books and rules for homework, not to mention modern entertainment, when are they getting time to think or play or internalize anything? Thats a big part of what I have seen this year. Im a public schooled parent trying to cut thru the jungle of proposed necessities of higher education, to find my kid and help him reach his full potential. Every time i tried to teach my kids like we were having "real" school, they fought me. They know that's not fun. They know its like prison. People arent made to learn like that.
So now Im kind of back to the beginning. My biggest hope for this year is to spend time exploring life with my kids, letting them learn where they find something of interest. Taking time to allow that everyday tasks and household chores are all part of learning to be an adult, of learning to be part of a community. If I can help them enjoy learning this year, then i will consider myself a success. Cause isnt that what its all about? A joy and appetite for life long learning?
True Freedom
What is freedom?
Is it the ability to do what you want, when you want? Is it the opportunity to express yourself without fear of censure? Is it the feeling you get when you run away from your kids for the night to sip cocktails with your friends?
TRUE freedom is a freedom that comes only from Christ.
In this life, we are in a constant struggle between wanting to do good and the desires to disregard all rules and do as we wish. We know that if we do the latter of the two, there will repercussions. Sometimes to others, and yet always to us. If you are a Christian, you know that breaking the "rules" is a sin. That sin will lead to permanent seperation from God. And yet, we all fail sometimes in our attempts to find our way thru this world to Him. We mess up. We hurt people. We withdraw from God or lie right to His face. And while we are in these bodies, we will always struggle with that, because that is the nature of flesh: to survive, by whatever selfish means necessary.
In fact, one could say that those selfish desires are the very reason we sin. We want so badly to survive. Even as we are living, breathing beings, we are struggling for survival on a physical AND spiritual level.
What is the one thing that every peson is afraid of? Death. Eternal seperation from what we know as life and what we know or desire of love. We all search after love. I say that what we really search after is eternal love. God's love. It is His love that we all are looking for. His love that we are all afraid of being without for eternity. And why shouldnt we be? He made us to love us. To be without that would be worse than death. If we are all going thru life, searching for His love, yet constantly sinning while in pursuit of it, couldnt we say that we all stumble because of FEAR of being without that love? We sin and are seperated. We sin because we are afraid of being seperated. We are locked up by this fear. We are prisoners. After all, you cant serve the Lord if you are bound in a dark prison of fear. You will never grow, never love and never rise above. We are stuck sinning.
What happens if you remove the seperation? Remove the sins? Then fear dissappears. The chains are removed. Well, Christ did that.
Christ came to pay a cost. Christ conquered death, once and for all, for all who believe. He is King and Saviour. He IS our redeemer, removing all our fear of death and the bondage created by that fear, which is expressed as sin. Therefore we can enter into freedom as believers because we have been released from the bondage of sin -which leads to death. If we believe that Christ came to remove all blemish and sin and seperation between God and us, then what do we have to fear? NOTHING!!
How much easier would it be if we could keep that as the divider between our actions, thoughts, words and the world? That since we have no need for fear, we have no need to sin. We dont have to sin! If only we could remind ourselves of that truth constantly. Thats TRUE freedom.
Questions to ask ourselves in practice:
Why did/do I do that?
What am I afraid of? Why?
Can God take care of that?
If I cant have it my way, will I be satisfied with God's way?
Can I handle it with love instead of fear next time?
Is it the ability to do what you want, when you want? Is it the opportunity to express yourself without fear of censure? Is it the feeling you get when you run away from your kids for the night to sip cocktails with your friends?
TRUE freedom is a freedom that comes only from Christ.
In this life, we are in a constant struggle between wanting to do good and the desires to disregard all rules and do as we wish. We know that if we do the latter of the two, there will repercussions. Sometimes to others, and yet always to us. If you are a Christian, you know that breaking the "rules" is a sin. That sin will lead to permanent seperation from God. And yet, we all fail sometimes in our attempts to find our way thru this world to Him. We mess up. We hurt people. We withdraw from God or lie right to His face. And while we are in these bodies, we will always struggle with that, because that is the nature of flesh: to survive, by whatever selfish means necessary.
In fact, one could say that those selfish desires are the very reason we sin. We want so badly to survive. Even as we are living, breathing beings, we are struggling for survival on a physical AND spiritual level.
What is the one thing that every peson is afraid of? Death. Eternal seperation from what we know as life and what we know or desire of love. We all search after love. I say that what we really search after is eternal love. God's love. It is His love that we all are looking for. His love that we are all afraid of being without for eternity. And why shouldnt we be? He made us to love us. To be without that would be worse than death. If we are all going thru life, searching for His love, yet constantly sinning while in pursuit of it, couldnt we say that we all stumble because of FEAR of being without that love? We sin and are seperated. We sin because we are afraid of being seperated. We are locked up by this fear. We are prisoners. After all, you cant serve the Lord if you are bound in a dark prison of fear. You will never grow, never love and never rise above. We are stuck sinning.
What happens if you remove the seperation? Remove the sins? Then fear dissappears. The chains are removed. Well, Christ did that.
Christ came to pay a cost. Christ conquered death, once and for all, for all who believe. He is King and Saviour. He IS our redeemer, removing all our fear of death and the bondage created by that fear, which is expressed as sin. Therefore we can enter into freedom as believers because we have been released from the bondage of sin -which leads to death. If we believe that Christ came to remove all blemish and sin and seperation between God and us, then what do we have to fear? NOTHING!!
How much easier would it be if we could keep that as the divider between our actions, thoughts, words and the world? That since we have no need for fear, we have no need to sin. We dont have to sin! If only we could remind ourselves of that truth constantly. Thats TRUE freedom.
Questions to ask ourselves in practice:
Why did/do I do that?
What am I afraid of? Why?
Can God take care of that?
If I cant have it my way, will I be satisfied with God's way?
Can I handle it with love instead of fear next time?
Who am I?
Well here it is. The first blog posting. And where do i go from here?
I have inner dialogues, more of essays, that have lesson's i cant bear to let go of yet. And so if i put them down here, maybe they will find their way into my bones. Into my everyday habits.
Who am I? I am an artist who doesnt paint, but raises children. Who doesnt work, but spends my day on foot, chasing dreams and sweeping dirt. I am a dancer who has stage fright. I am a romantic trapped in a divorced world. I am a perfectionist who never finishes a project. I am a minimalist who saves everything for recycling. I am a best friend who never calls. I am a homebody who is always on the go.
I am a Christian.
So I am full of contradictions, except the last one. Thats the only bit of truth I need.
I once saw a church reader-board that said:
"Now accepting applications for membership...Perfect people need not apply"
That made me smile.
I am not perfect.
I have inner dialogues, more of essays, that have lesson's i cant bear to let go of yet. And so if i put them down here, maybe they will find their way into my bones. Into my everyday habits.
Who am I? I am an artist who doesnt paint, but raises children. Who doesnt work, but spends my day on foot, chasing dreams and sweeping dirt. I am a dancer who has stage fright. I am a romantic trapped in a divorced world. I am a perfectionist who never finishes a project. I am a minimalist who saves everything for recycling. I am a best friend who never calls. I am a homebody who is always on the go.
I am a Christian.
So I am full of contradictions, except the last one. Thats the only bit of truth I need.
I once saw a church reader-board that said:
"Now accepting applications for membership...Perfect people need not apply"
That made me smile.
I am not perfect.
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