Christmas gifts

While I was at a Christmas party for Carl's office I overheard a mama telling a story about her 6 year old and the long list of presents that she wanted this year for Christmas. The said mama just listened and then said " Jesus got three presents for Christmas and that is how many you will be getting" Wow! Why didn't I think of that.

Food , Fun and Fellowship

Some friends joined us at our house last night for supper and game playing. I usually dread the 26th because most of the hoopla is over so I planned a party. We ate a meal that Carl's mama cooked and we all love. After supper we played Telephone-Picturary.

First the meal. Pork tenderloin cooked for an hour at 350, then add sauerkraut and hot dogs and cook for another hour. Serve this with creamed potatoes and applesauce. This is best eaten in layers so that you get every flavor in each bite. Yum yum. I usually serve this with green beans so that we have some green with all the bland colors. Marisa is allergic to pork so I put a chicken breast in a dish and cooked it with some sauerkraut. She said that it was great.

Now the game- We had 9 folks playing so each person got 9 pieces of paper. First number each piece of paper . We did. 1-9. On the first piece of paper you write a sentence- any sentence. Then you pass the entire group of papers, in our case that was 9 pieces. So now you have a new group of papers. You read the sentence and you draw a picture describing want you just read. Then you pass that group on until you have written or draw on every group of papers. Then we go through and read the groups to see the sequence. It is hilarious.

Ed sharing a laugh

Marisa and John

Bri and Kaitlin

Cathy

Dan and Nancy.

If you need a fun game to play I highly recommend this one

Christmas

We went to church last night. It was wonderful as usual. We planned to open our gifts today but some of us decided that we should open them last night. We started cooking our wonderful supper. We opened presents until delicious supper of hot dogs were ready. Our tree with our presents before we opened them.

This is Kaitlin today. And as Andrew would say...she has a whole lot of business going on.

What to do when you can't get out of the house.

This is what Kaitlin did on the snow day. She made pillow cases. I believe the final count was 23.

Aren't they beautiful?

Enjoy

Last night at church we had a musical program by Michael Porter and his friend Asitha Tennekon . Here is Kaitlin favorite song they sang. Panis Angelicus Enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrapOryVCQo

In the End, God wins

I read this at Radical Womanhood. Carolyn McCulley's blog was especially encouraging on the 23rd. She used some quotes from Tim Keller. Here is one

There are a lot of people in this world who have a passion for justice and a compassion for the poor but have absolutely no assurance that justice will one day triumph. They just believe that if we work hard enough long enough, we'll pull ourselves together and bring some justice to this world. For these people, there's no consolation when things don't go well.
But Christians have not only a passion for justice but also the knowledge that, in the end, justice will triumph. Confidence in the justice of God makes the most realistic passion for justice possible. here is the rest

Enjoy

What is your Thesis?

At the graduation for Charlie we got the handy dandy program with all the Thesises (is that the word) in it.

Charlie's was A Modeling and Experimental Study of Deformation and Hot Tearing in Steel. Ok, that is not a conversation that I often have with my friends but I somewhat have an idea about what that is talking about.

Here are some that I find...interesting

Sassy and Subservient: Chinese Girls and Media in the Urbanizing Countryside...

Attittudes towards Help-seeking among South Asian American Muslim Women

Born Free: Unassisted Childbirth in North America

An Examination of the Influence of Organiational Culture on Career Advancement Opportunites for Ethnic Minorities in College Sport

But my all time favorite is...

Smash Mouth Football: An Interpretive Study of Identities Constructed and Performed on a Women's Football Team

A new thought for the cookie exchange!?!

I have made lots of Christmas cookies this season but none like these. Check out my sister-in-laws blog for a good laugh. Cheers!

When is 19 degrees a heat wave???

Picture the crows from Dumbo


So we were sitting around and Carl said " What shall we do this weekend?" Kaitlin says " I don't know? What do you want to do?" Mama says " Hey, Let's go to Iowa"

Well, not really. Our nephew ,Charlie, was graduating from the University of Iowa with his Phd and lots of the family was going to be there so we decided we should be there too.

So we loaded up the van on Friday and left LR. It was 56 degrees when we left.

This is the view out of our motel window on Saturday morning. I am not sure what the temp was then but it was COLD. I believe turtlenecks were invented here. Even though Carl and I lived in Minnesota for 2 years, I forgot how cold it gets here. I mean so cold that the gel ice packs I travel with for my back, froze in the car over night. Which was a blessing but you get the idea. My mama who grew up in the Dakota's always and I mean ALWAYS wore an undershirt from November 1 til May 1. I now remember why.

Kaitlin, Marisa, Carl and I spent the morning with Alex and Esther. They gave us a tour of Iowa City. We saw they school buildings, where the flood was ate lunch and shared lots of laughs.

The girls had to do a snow jump

The reason for the visit. We got to see Charlie graduate with his Phd, hang with the family and meet Gus, our new nephew.

This is Alex, well, looking like, Alex.

We got to go to an open mike night and hear our nephew, Willy. There were about 20 of us in a small back room. There were about 15 chairs and 3 sofas. If you want to hear Willy Here he is.

Willy played and then he called up his brothers up to play with him.

This is what -20 looks like as we drove down the road back to Arkansas on Sunday morning.

I'd like to give a big Thank You to all the folks on S US 218 that had Christmas lights on as we drove home in the bitter cold. It was a great trip. I am thankful for all the safety God gave us as we drove.

Two More Recipes

Here are Oreo Truffles from Monica. this is how Monica gave it to Faith. May I just say FABULOUS


1 package Oreos (last year I used double stuffed and they better)
1 8 oz cream cheese,softened
approx 8 blocks almond bark
smash Oreos,
use mixer to mix with cream cheese
use mini scooper to scoop balls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet, then shape into smoother balls. Freeze about 45 minutes, stick with toothpick and dip into melted almond bark. DO NOT dry on wire rack. That's what I did last night, but they dried and stuck to the wire, then cracked when removed. Place on wax paper to dry. I sprinkled each truffle after dipping because they dry pretty quick. another variation is melt white chocchips or almond bark and drizzle little lines then use sprinkles, or dont'use sprinkles or dip into white first...after you dip and place on wax paper, you have to get more choc on toothpickto cover area where it was sticking in. Later some oreo oozes out where thetoothpick was stuck. I know it sounds wierd but just wipe away. Have fun!!!

Sweet Potato Dumplings from Tina - these are amazing

Sweet Potato patties in the frozen food section
Crescent Rolls
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 c of sugar
vanilla
Topping 1 c sugar mixed with cinnamon

cut the sweet potatoes in half and place one in each crescent roll. Fill up a 13 x 9 pan. Melt the butter and sugar and pour over the top of them. Mix 1 cup sugar with cinnamon- like you would put on your cinnamon/sugar toast. I didn't use the whole cup.

bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until brown

I cut them in fourths and cut the crescent rolls in half and made them bite size

Ice Storm

The ice, freezing rain, etc started at our house about 2 yesterday afternoon. Here is the front yard this morning. We have power, plenty of firewood, food, and plenty of things to do. We are happy.

Our driveway.

The backyard

I took this standing in the garage looking toward the front yard.

This is a wonderful picture because it shows that I have a wonderful fire going. Carl built it before he left for work and Kaitlin has kept it going.

Here is great new recipe

I had these last night at a party for the officers of our church. I loved them and can't wait to make them.

Iced Cranberries from Nancy

1-2 bags Fresh Cranberries
1 Lg bag Powdered Sugar

1 raw Egg White
1/4t Orange Oil (I use Boyajian brand Orange Citrus Oil-Can be ordered from kingarthurflour.com. Item # 1058 (1oz) or1060 (5oz).

Pour fresh cranberries in a colander. Rinse well with cold water. Pick out soft cranberries and discard. Also pick off any remaining stems. Gently dry cranberries on a paper towel. Place dry cranberries in a large covered container. (I use a tupperware cake taker)
Break egg white over cranberries, add about a 1/4 teaspoon of Orange Oil or a little (emphasis on little) more if you prefer a stronger orange flavor.Using your CLEAN hands, stir and coat all the cranberries with the egg white and oil.
Once they are well coated, wash the slimy gross egg white off your hands.
Shake a 1/2 of a bag Confectioners sugar over the cranberries, cover, and shake.
Separate cranberries, add more sugar, cover, shake.
Repeat these steps until cranberries are completely covered and the sugar coating starts looking dry, this will be a white color not icky grayish color.
If they are still an icky grayish color, add more sugar.Spread out on jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with lip.
Place in the refrigerator - UNCOVERED. The coating will harden overnight.
Always remember, and don't ever forget! POP! DON'T NIBBLE! Tell your friends! Lest they become pucker pusses!

Lots of Fun

Enjoy this Christmas tour of homes from BooMama. Get some cocoa and put your feet up this is fabulous. Leave me a comment telling me which ones you enjoyed the most.

Glorious Destiny

This was written in the Christmas card I got from my friend, Nancy. She has it in quotes so I am guessing it is from somewhere else. When I find out I'll let you know.

"Eternal life is the glorious destiny of all who believe, a place where all things will be made new, where Christmas will never end"

That really spoke to me today.

I love Christmas cards

Straight No Chaser

You must watch and listen to this

A Wonderful Day

Yesterday, Kaitlin didn't have class. It was her study day and finals start today. She had a bizillion errands to run and we did them together. We left when Marisa left. (Marisa was going to take her last final!)

We started at UALR returning library books. Kaitlin had a cd to give to Brittany so we dropped it by her office on campus and then stayed for a wonderful visit.

Marisa called and was finished! We met her for lunch at Apple Spice Junction. It is a wonderful restaurant near UALR that has wonderful sandwiches and soups including potato soup that is amazing.

Then to see Julie at her shoe store. We picked up a few Christmas presents there or as Kaitlin likes to say " We saw Santa and he said' Psst, Kaitlin, here are a few gifts for... ' I would say for whom but I think she reads this. Are you curious???? A few clues- she doesn't live in the same state as I do and we're related???

Then we were off to Mama G's. Kaitlin and I enjoyed seeing her look at the pictures that Kaitlin had taken of her 5 beautiful daughters. She enjoyed that Kaitlin left in some of the humorous shots of the girls as joked with each other.

We had hoped to visit with Sandy as we gave her her picutres but she was out running errands when we got to her and we gave them to her son. He was thrilled because he said that as soon as his mama got them he wouldn't be able to see them again.

We ended our day sharing supper with our College an Career group. Lots of laughing was had by all.

A wonderful day.

A Day that will live in Infamy

Today is the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Twenty years ago today I read Andrew a book on the attack and it opened up a whole new world to him and the rest of us.

We are watching Tora Tora Tora as I write this post.

What did you really mean to say?

I read Abraham Piper's blog daily. I was humbled by this post on miscommunication.

Trees

This is a handy device that Carl found last year. With my back situation I am to limit my bending over. I have these devices on all the Christmas lights in the house. I can turn them on with the touch of my foot.

The leon candles that mama had for years broke so I had to buy my own. I know that some of you have them spelling Noel and that is your choice. Andrew for years had them spelling Nole. Sometimes I try to spell Noel and someone with change them back to leon. oh well, what's a mama to do.

Here is one of the beautiful ornaments that I got from my parents tree.

tree in the dining room

Andrew didn't have too many keepsakes on the tree so we added some in 2004.

these are the shoes Kaitlin wore home from the hospital when she was born.

these are John's home from the hospital shoes.

tree in the den

trees in the kitchen window.

I love Nativity Sets

New today from Walmart

I got this at the Precious Moments Chapel in MO

Also from Precious Moments chapel

This was one our first. Andrew insisted that we get one that would allow Jesus to get out of his car seat( the baby wasn't fixed in the manger but could get out)

Playmobile

Veggie Tale

John made this for me out of Sculpy. I gave him Sculpy early on in his life. Mostly to keep his hands busy as I read out loud to the children. Kaitlin could knit and Andrew was always drawing. This really cut down on the disruptions and when I quizzed the children about what I had read, they knew. John didn't start with Nativities. He started with man-eating sharks with lots of blood and gore. I gently asked if he could make me something I could display. He made this five or six years ago.

We got this in Alaska when we went with Uncle Charles and Aunt Frances.

This is one John made a year ago. Isn't is beautiful? Do you have a Christmas collection

Thaksgiving breakfast

I know most folks think of turkey on Thanksgiving but we also think of monkey bread. We have this for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I snapped this shot before most folks were awake so you could see it and not them eating it.

I got my recipe from Carl's sisiter, Marian. We love it.

3 cans of biscuits( 10 biscuit size)
1 1/2 c sugar
3t of cinnamon
12 T butter

Put 6 T of butter in bundt pan. Put pan in the oven and turn on to 350. Cut up biscuits into quarters. Put sugar and cinnamon in a ziplock bag or a big bowl with a lid that seals. Add biscuits and shake. Take pan out of oven and gently add biscuits. melt other 6 T of butter in the microwave, pour on top of biscuits. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Yum!

I had turkey

I just read a fact in the paper I thought I'd share with you. The night when the most pizza is ordered is Super Bowl Sunday, the second night is Halloween, and the third is tonight- the night before Thanksgiving.

How many of you are having pizza?

Indelible Grace

Last Sunday night I went to this concert. It was wonderful. Kaitlin often haunts their web site www.igracemusic.com . She saw that this concert was on their schedule this past summer and put it on our calendar.

We left from church on Sunday soon after the morning worship was over. There were 12 of us in two vans. Our group included Darrell, Clare, Mark, Liz, Eli, Zach, Curt, John, Marisa, Kaitlin, Carl and me. We stopped at a gas station not too far out of town and got a snack. Then we ate a big meal at the Cracker Barrel in West Memphis.

The doors were to open at 5:15 for the 6 pm concert and we wanted to be there. Plus we had ordered tickets over the phone and they were mailed to us but we didn't get them. We had that to work out. We got to the church about 4:30. They were so gracious about our ticket situation and gave us new tickets because the lady remembered a group from LR ordering tickets.

Darrell is from Mississippi, has been in the PCA awhile and is well connected. It was like old home week for him. He saw his youth pastor, RUF leader from Ole Miss, plus various folks he knew. That was fun to see.

The concert started a 6 and lasted 2 hours with a short break in the middle. We heard from a friend, Corrie, who went to see the concert the night before in St Louis, that Matthew Smith had been sick. He looked fine to me but his base player looked green the whole show.

The songs they sang that I enjoyed the most were: And Can It Be, Be Gone Unbelief, Arise, My Soul, Arise, and On Jordan Stormy Banks. The words were put up on screens so we could all sing too. I felt transported at times into heaven- all those voices singing those songs that mean so much to me. I wonder if this is a small picture of heaven.

Of course with our group we had lots of laughing: Clare couldn't get comfortable in her seat in the car and then realized she was sitting on her purse, Eli was the last one to get into the car several times and that lead to lots of jokes, I thought we were going to see Michael W. Smith and when Carl gently let me know that it was Matthew Smith, folks started singing Michael W. Smith songs often and I mean often.

Several in our group had never eaten a Krystal burger. ( An incomplete childhood is what I am thinking) Carl felt the need to rectify this. We stopped around 9 pm again in West Memphis at Krystal. Some folks ate chicken, but most got those delicious burgers. I love me some Krystal burgers. Some loved it and some don't plan to go back.

We were back by 11:00pm. I believe a fun time was had by all.

25 1/2, 26 1/2, 20 1/2, and 23 1/2

In the last 10 days we have and are celebrating 4 half-birthdays.Thursday a week ago was Taylor's. Monday was Andrew and Marisa's and today is Kaitlin's.

When my children were all at home and it was your half-birthday, you got to pick what we ate for lunch and supper and you didn't have to do school. The children would plan for weeks what they wanted to eat and what movie they would pick to watch during the day. The gift given that day was time. Mama would put lotion on your back, we would play games, and as they got older, they could sleep-in.

On Monday morning early I sent Andrew a text wishing him a Happy Half-Birthday. He sent back that he couldn't believe he had to work on his half-birthday:)

Marisa is new to the half-birthday celebrating. She didn't even realize her's was approaching! On Monday as Kaitlin and I wished her a half-birthday and told her to pick out what she wanted for supper she was a little stunned. She picked to eat at a local restaurant near our house. We even invited a few friends to join us.

Today Kaitlin is 23 1/2. For her half-birthday she wants her papa to cook his fried rice for lunch or supper she doesn't care. And she wants him to cook enough so there are leftovers. She wants to eat some next week too. I doubt we will play any games today as this is a college football Saturday but I am so thankful for all the years we did.

When is your half-birthday? How do you celebrate?

Blest

This is the view that I am blest to wake up to when the leaves fall off the trees.

What are you doing with your children today?

It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and inhumanity, and an ambition to excel in every capacity, faculty, and virtue. If we suffer their minds to grovel and creep in infancy, they will grovel all their lives."—John Adams, Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1756


A new blog on my blog roll is Dave Linton. This is his post for today. I say Amen and Amen.

The New Curtains!!!

Carl put up the new brackets.

Marisa and John got the new curtains on the rod.

Carl was very careful with the curtains that Clare had so patiently ironed.

Marisa and Carl getting the top just like Marisa wanted it.

The beautiful finished product.

One very happy girl! Thanks Clare, you are a blessing.