We had a productive weekend and are now trying to recover:
An office at work painted and a trencher rented,
Pipes laid and strawberry shortcakes made,
One movie watched and a horse washed,
A hydrogen car test driven and dinner out with friends is high livin'.
All in all, we kept busy and got a lot done. One thing that wasn't the result of this past weekend? A clean house. Off to folding clothes, doing dishes and picking up toys I go!
Disclaimer - I know I couldn't get much lamer. A poet I am not.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Work in Progress
Some of you are already aware that I've been trying for a couple of years to compile a cookbook for family and close friends. Several of you have even been promised a copy of the book-to-be for Christmas, two years in a row! For those of you wanting to know the latest status, I must confess...I've still not gotten far. It seems to be like my personal goal to get fit, an alluring and yet eluding endeavor.
I've not given up hope and am still continuing to gather recipes. That's my problem. It's not that I'm just a procrastinator (which can be true), in this case I can't seem to move past the ongoing search and testing of yummy recipes. While I have been typing and formatting all of the recipes for months now, it's still a work-in-progress and will take a lot more time and effort before it's complete.
So, for now...I'll leave you with links to some of our family's favorite recipes, all from one of my favorite sources, Allrecipes.com:
Chicken Cordon Bleu II - So yummy! I don't always make the "gravy". When I do, I use fat-free half and half rather than heavy cream.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup - My favorite "go to" winter meal. Love, love, love it for both the taste and ease. It does include a lot of canned ingredients so I like to use the "lower sodium" versions whenever possible.
Ham and Potato Soup - A great way to use up left-over ham. I don't bother to peel the potatoes and like to add carrots and a pinch or two of rosemary.
Health Nut Blueberry Muffins - Just beware, you should probably warn your Father-in-Law that these have a lot of bran in them before he eats seven, all within a couple of hours (I'm told that they worked!). These have a lot of ingredients but once you have everything on hand, they really are easy!
Apple Hermit Cookies - These are soft, chewy cookies that taste a bit like a molasses cookie with apple. They aren't the prettiest but are sure hard to stop eating!
Clone of a Cinnabon - These scrumptious cinnamon rolls are for special occasions (definitely not health food). Delicious!
Happy Cooking!
(I am most interested in finding recipes from family and friends to include in the cookbook. If you have any family favorites that you haven't already shared and are interested, please let me know. If they are included, I would be happy to share a copy of the cookbook...when it is finished!).
I've not given up hope and am still continuing to gather recipes. That's my problem. It's not that I'm just a procrastinator (which can be true), in this case I can't seem to move past the ongoing search and testing of yummy recipes. While I have been typing and formatting all of the recipes for months now, it's still a work-in-progress and will take a lot more time and effort before it's complete.
So, for now...I'll leave you with links to some of our family's favorite recipes, all from one of my favorite sources, Allrecipes.com:
Chicken Cordon Bleu II - So yummy! I don't always make the "gravy". When I do, I use fat-free half and half rather than heavy cream.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup - My favorite "go to" winter meal. Love, love, love it for both the taste and ease. It does include a lot of canned ingredients so I like to use the "lower sodium" versions whenever possible.
Ham and Potato Soup - A great way to use up left-over ham. I don't bother to peel the potatoes and like to add carrots and a pinch or two of rosemary.
Health Nut Blueberry Muffins - Just beware, you should probably warn your Father-in-Law that these have a lot of bran in them before he eats seven, all within a couple of hours (I'm told that they worked!). These have a lot of ingredients but once you have everything on hand, they really are easy!
Apple Hermit Cookies - These are soft, chewy cookies that taste a bit like a molasses cookie with apple. They aren't the prettiest but are sure hard to stop eating!
Clone of a Cinnabon - These scrumptious cinnamon rolls are for special occasions (definitely not health food). Delicious!
Happy Cooking!
(I am most interested in finding recipes from family and friends to include in the cookbook. If you have any family favorites that you haven't already shared and are interested, please let me know. If they are included, I would be happy to share a copy of the cookbook...when it is finished!).
Thursday, May 21, 2009
When the Going Gets Tough...
The tough get...a pedicure! I had a stress-filled day at work earlier in the week and desperately needed to de-compress. I decided to joined a co-worker who was on her way to get a pedicure during the lunch hour. I'm not normally one for spending money on seemingly frivolous items but I have to say, it was just what the doctor ordered! Who knew that a foot/leg massage could feel so good and that colorful toes could make you feel like a lady?
I returned the pedicure favor to our Little Miss later in the week because she loves to have "pink toes". She wanted her daddy to match but he drew the line. It was really tough for him to turn down his little girl and I'm sure he would have caved if we had a more "manly" color of polish. Time to buy red for next time...
I returned the pedicure favor to our Little Miss later in the week because she loves to have "pink toes". She wanted her daddy to match but he drew the line. It was really tough for him to turn down his little girl and I'm sure he would have caved if we had a more "manly" color of polish. Time to buy red for next time...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Gift of Motherhood
I absolutely love being a mother. I am blessed every day by the best job in the whole world. No matter the low-paying salary or the lack of accolades, it’s hands down the best honor that a woman could ever ask for.
Unlike most moms, I can’t say that I remember my daughter’s birth or the labor pains (considering I wasn’t actually awake for her birth or the first 30 hours of her life). I often feel out of place around women who are talking about their childbirth experiences because I totally cannot relate. I used to leave situations like that feeling inadequate as a woman and a mother.
Thankfully I’ve discovered that motherhood is not solely defined by sharing your birth canal. Please don’t get me wrong. I have huge admiration for every woman who has ever experienced labor. HUGE. However, to get to the place of accepting that I wasn’t (consciously) there when the Little Miss was born and to not feel guilty by the fact that I didn’t even see her until she was 3 days old, my views of true motherhood had to change.
I’ve learned that women aren’t automatically given a “good mother” award the moment their first child is born. It’s not a onetime stamp-of-approval and isn’t completely due to instinct. This award can only come with time, trials, practice, and the knowledge that it will be tested again and again. Even then, being “good” is not good enough.
I hope I reflect the ways of a good mom. More so however, I pray that I will become a “godly” mother. Not by my strength but His, I pray that Jesus will make me into a Proverbs 31 sort of mom. I pray that the light of Christ will shine through me and that strength and honor will surround me. I pray that my words will be full of wisdom and kindness and that I will care for the needs of my family and provide for them daily. I pray that someday:
“Her children will rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her”…”Charm is deceitful and beautify is passing but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Prov 31:28-30)
Have I yet attained this? Not. even. close. It will take the rest of my life for Jesus to transform me into a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I will continue to praise Him for His grace every time I fail to live up to the standard. I will always be so thankful for the gift of motherhood.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and like-moms-to-so-many out there!
Unlike most moms, I can’t say that I remember my daughter’s birth or the labor pains (considering I wasn’t actually awake for her birth or the first 30 hours of her life). I often feel out of place around women who are talking about their childbirth experiences because I totally cannot relate. I used to leave situations like that feeling inadequate as a woman and a mother.
Thankfully I’ve discovered that motherhood is not solely defined by sharing your birth canal. Please don’t get me wrong. I have huge admiration for every woman who has ever experienced labor. HUGE. However, to get to the place of accepting that I wasn’t (consciously) there when the Little Miss was born and to not feel guilty by the fact that I didn’t even see her until she was 3 days old, my views of true motherhood had to change.
I’ve learned that women aren’t automatically given a “good mother” award the moment their first child is born. It’s not a onetime stamp-of-approval and isn’t completely due to instinct. This award can only come with time, trials, practice, and the knowledge that it will be tested again and again. Even then, being “good” is not good enough.
I hope I reflect the ways of a good mom. More so however, I pray that I will become a “godly” mother. Not by my strength but His, I pray that Jesus will make me into a Proverbs 31 sort of mom. I pray that the light of Christ will shine through me and that strength and honor will surround me. I pray that my words will be full of wisdom and kindness and that I will care for the needs of my family and provide for them daily. I pray that someday:
“Her children will rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her”…”Charm is deceitful and beautify is passing but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Prov 31:28-30)
Have I yet attained this? Not. even. close. It will take the rest of my life for Jesus to transform me into a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I will continue to praise Him for His grace every time I fail to live up to the standard. I will always be so thankful for the gift of motherhood.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and like-moms-to-so-many out there!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Splat!
I am happy to report that I successfully faced one of my worst (semi) fears today. No, I didn't lose a loved one and no one was hurt in the process. The dreaded situation that I was forced to encounter was becoming the personal "dropping" post for a bird. Crazy, total irrational fear? 100% agreed. Real? Completely. (In my defense, who ever said I was rational?).
Though I've dreaded the experience for as long as I can remember, I knew it was bound to happen some day (considering that we have hundreds of geese in the fields near our home all winter long). Today was the day. Our small family had just headed out for a leisurely stroll when suddenly I felt it, the sense of something hitting me from above.
How did I respond? Exactly as you'd imagine the ever-so-slightly-dramatic-one that I can be. A man walking across the street seemed to get a good laugh. I was personally proud of the fact that I didn't cry or scream (too loud). When I told Mr. Wagner that I thought I was handling it better than I'd expected, he replied, "Ummmm...yeah. Reeeeally, well."
I did learn a lesson out of this; There is always something to be thankful for regardless of the "mess" of a situation. Today, I was sure thankful it wasn't a whole flock of geese.
Though I've dreaded the experience for as long as I can remember, I knew it was bound to happen some day (considering that we have hundreds of geese in the fields near our home all winter long). Today was the day. Our small family had just headed out for a leisurely stroll when suddenly I felt it, the sense of something hitting me from above.
How did I respond? Exactly as you'd imagine the ever-so-slightly-dramatic-one that I can be. A man walking across the street seemed to get a good laugh. I was personally proud of the fact that I didn't cry or scream (too loud). When I told Mr. Wagner that I thought I was handling it better than I'd expected, he replied, "Ummmm...yeah. Reeeeally, well."
I did learn a lesson out of this; There is always something to be thankful for regardless of the "mess" of a situation. Today, I was sure thankful it wasn't a whole flock of geese.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sooie, Sooie…Here Pig!
Is it just me or is it getting even harder to follow the news these day? As if the failing economy itself hasn’t been enough to keep our nerves on end, we now have the swine flu to contend with. Swine flu? Had anyone even heard of such a thing before this past weekend?
Yet again, my addiction to keeping up with current events has me in knots. It’s easy to forget that the regular flu has already killed thousands this year alone. While we should all be cautious and take proper precautions, we also need to keep things in perspective (has anyone else been tempted to run out and buy face masks before they are out of stock?).
Regardless of the fact that I have to remind myself on an hourly basis of a few key life verses (Phil 4:6-7,"Be anxious for nothing..."), I do believe that we can find some encouragement in all of this.
Jesus said, “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end [will not come] immediately…Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:9-11)
God is faithfulling fulfilling His promises. I believe He is showing us yet another sign of the end times. Even if the swine flu fizzles out, other disease and trials are inevitable. Jesus alone, in His redemption and grace, has offered to save us. Have you accepted His offer? If not, why wait?
...now…is that my throat hurting?...A cough I hear?...Could it be???
Yet again, my addiction to keeping up with current events has me in knots. It’s easy to forget that the regular flu has already killed thousands this year alone. While we should all be cautious and take proper precautions, we also need to keep things in perspective (has anyone else been tempted to run out and buy face masks before they are out of stock?).
Regardless of the fact that I have to remind myself on an hourly basis of a few key life verses (Phil 4:6-7,"Be anxious for nothing..."), I do believe that we can find some encouragement in all of this.
Jesus said, “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end [will not come] immediately…Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:9-11)
God is faithfulling fulfilling His promises. I believe He is showing us yet another sign of the end times. Even if the swine flu fizzles out, other disease and trials are inevitable. Jesus alone, in His redemption and grace, has offered to save us. Have you accepted His offer? If not, why wait?
...now…is that my throat hurting?...A cough I hear?...Could it be???
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Fun Family Times
We had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Wagner's twin bro "Q" and his family this past week as they traveled from the Midwest for a visit.
The Little Miss had a fabulous time with her cousins. She could frequently be heard telling her cousin Jess to "Hold my hand!" (she must get her bossy tendancy from her daddy...ha, ha). We all spent a couple of days at the coast and my SIL and I even took the girls to "tea" (the men, including baby Owen, somehow managed to avoid that outing).
I tried to get a good picture of the cousins but as you can see, that was not meant to be. Oh well, at least you can tell that they had a lot of fun together! This picture is also proof that the mischievious nature in our family MUST run on the Wagner side.
The Little Miss had a fabulous time with her cousins. She could frequently be heard telling her cousin Jess to "Hold my hand!" (she must get her bossy tendancy from her daddy...ha, ha). We all spent a couple of days at the coast and my SIL and I even took the girls to "tea" (the men, including baby Owen, somehow managed to avoid that outing).I tried to get a good picture of the cousins but as you can see, that was not meant to be. Oh well, at least you can tell that they had a lot of fun together! This picture is also proof that the mischievious nature in our family MUST run on the Wagner side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)