Blessed

We've had some cold weather here this month.  Colder than usual for this early in the winter season.  And for some reason on the chilly nights when the heat kicks on and I am snuggled up in my warm, comfy bed I have been having these thoughts....


Not everyone is this warm.  Not everyone is this comfortable.  Thank you God.  Please forgive me for all I take for granted.  Even this bed, God.  Thank you for this bed.  

Same thing in the mornings when the temps are low and the heat is running full blast and I wake up so warm and cozy.


Not everyone is this warm.  Not everyone is this comfortable.  I am undeservedly blessed.  Thank you God.  Thank you even for this bed.  Forgive me for all the times I haven't noticed or stopped to say thank you.

I am not sure why these thoughts have been so present lately for though I try to intentionally live with a grateful heart, it would be an understatement to say I take things for granted daily.  I take things for granted all the time.

And not just material things.  Things like a loving family, health, my next meal, my next breath for that matter, my salvation, the fact that I am able to live at peace with God thanks the sacrifice of Jesus.


It's interesting because over the past year or two Luke 12:48 has often been at the forefront of my mind where the Bible says to whom much is given, much is required.


In the context of my heart it has been about time, love, sacrifice, hospitality, possessions, finances, commitments, investments in people.  I have been given much and need to give back much.  


Tonight our family was able to participate with some of our church family in giving in what was perhaps a small way in light of the world and its troubles, but a big way to a family in need and to children who have no control over their circumstances.  On the way home I had a great talk with my kids about how the Bible says it is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35) and I believe their eyes were opened a bit.  And my heart was reminded a bit.

Because let's just face it, no matter where we fall in the social order of this crazy life, we all have the capacity for ungratefulness.  But we all also have the choice for a grateful heart. The poorest of poor, the richest of rich, and those of us who fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum - we all have a choice for either state of the heart.


And we all have the choice to be takers or givers.  Of things, yes, but also of ourselves.  


I for one know I need to start thanking God more for things like the comfy bed.

I don't deserve it or anything else.  But I want to praise and thank the God of grace who bestows such gifts on me.  As the songs says, "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise."


And I want to give.  Much.  I want to do what is required of me.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,

to love mercy,

 and to walk humbly with your God?

Like A Rock Star

So, about a week or two ago our little family spent the evening making this...

During the house building process, my husband looked at some of the candy decorations my son was adding and commented, "Wow Trevor, that looks sharp."

To which my puzzled boy replied, "Sharp???"

To which my ever knowledgeable daughter answered, "Trevor, sharp is just an expression for... like a rock star."

Which almost made me choke on my hot cocoa.

Sharp.  Like a rock star.  And all this time I thought it was something those of us who are getting a little older [dorkier] by the day said. :)

Though I must say, I really did think their gingerbread house rocked.  And I mean rocked like a sharp pair of loafers or navy blue blazer.

Christmas In The Kitchen

The Christmas aprons are hung.  The kitchen is decorated. And I'm about to make a grocery list and head out to stock up.  Because this week will involve lots of cooking and baking.

Party food, family meals, cookies and treats, gifts for friends....don't you just love spending some of Christmas in the kitchen?!

Back In My Green Chair

Hello, friends!

I am back in my green chair after a weekend away with my girl.  We went back home to Maryland because a dear friend of ours was getting married.  I actually used to babysit the bride, Emilie (yikes, I know!  I'm getting older rapidly!) and then she was in a middle school Bible study I led for two summers when I would come home from college.  We further bonded when she was in the high school youth group and I was a leader and young wife, and then our friendship just grew and deepened.  She asked me to sing in her wedding, and asked Madi and Trev to be her flower girl and ring bearer.  We very badly wanted to go as a family, but this time of year is tough to get away and 4 plane tickets just didn't fit in the budget.  For awhile we weren't even sure if it was going to work out for any of us to go, but a month ago I was able to secure a pretty good deal on two plane tickets so Madi could have the chance to be flower girl for her beloved "Emmy Em" and I could sing in the wedding.

The song Em asked me to sing was How Deep The Father's Love For Us.  The lyrics to that song are so profound and beautiful.  And I can see how deep God's love is for Em, because He brought an absolutely wonderful, godly guy to Maryland from Wisconsin to become her friend and now her husband.  They are made for each other.  I was so happy Madi and I got to be a part of her day.

And it's always a treat to go home.  We actually flew into snow, which thrilled Madi!

After getting a salted caramel hot chocolate at the airport, of course...  :)

We had such a blast getting to spend precious time with faraway friends.

Then on Saturday, Madi was able to feel like a princess as a beautiful flower girl!

We had the best day.  The wedding was God-centered and gorgeous.  The reception was a blast and I think Madi danced to every song.  We threw fake snowflakes at Dan and Emilie as we sent them off to their honeymoon.  Madi and I were both sad to say our goodbyes but thankful we were able to share this special wedding weekend in Maryland together.  God is good.  His love is strong.

And now I'm back in my green chair, Christmas trees lit, candles burning, the sounds of my kids giggling and my husband playing the guitar, reflecting on love and friendships and a weekend to remember.

On Starbucks and Wise Men

I have had exactly two red cups from Starbucks this season.

I know.  I need to get out more.  Though it's probably a good thing there's not a Starbucks on the beaten path in my world!

But occasionally I make my way to one.  On Thanksgiving (after our fine dining experience at Cracker Barrel) I got my first red cup.  White Peppermint Mocha.  Always a favorite holiday treat.

However, the other day (which was quite cold and blustery, brrr!!) I was running Christmas errands and stopped at a Starbucks and tried something that knocked my knee socks off.

It was called a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

Let's just say there will probably be a third red cup in my very near future.

Oh.my.goodness.

And while we are on the subject of Starbucks, I have to tell you about my 2 year old nephew Reagan.  He is adorable and brilliant like the other children in our family (smile) and my brother and sister-in-law had been teaching him the story of Christmas.  They would start sentences and have him fill in the last word, such as..."The shepherds were filled with great...JOY!"  You get the idea.  But my favorite was his response about the wise men.  It went as follows...

"The wise men followed the..."STARBUCKS!"

What a kid.  I told you he was adorable and brilliant!  And he doesn't know it yet but his Auntie Jen is sending him this ornament in his Christmas package...

It is the three wise men on their way to the manger.  They've almost made it, they are just making a quick stop for a round of Caramel Macchiatos.  

And Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, of course.  

:)

Shoepeg & Green Bean Casserole

A few weeks ago my friend Gina was visiting and we were at a favorite store of mine when I spotted a Gooseberry Patch cookbook I didn't have.  I am a huge fan of Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and this one was called 101 Christmas Recipes and it had pictures - aren't you crazy about cookbooks with pictures?! I know I am!

I resisted the urge to buy it but had a surprise later when my friend, who had seen me admiring it, gave it to me!!  She had snuck it (well, sneaked it if we're going to be all technical here) to the cash register while I was browsing!  She is one of the most generous people I know, not just with little gifts but also with time and help and kind gestures.  I think of her when I snuggle in my green chair and browse this cookbook for recipes ideas.

The other night I made a Shoepeg & Green Bean Casserole from this cookbook and it was oh-so-delicious! Now, if you just read my last post about party food and green bean bundles it may seem like I am on a mission to make fattening green bean dishes. I promise it's just a coincidence!! But sometimes canned green beans need a little fattening up, you know what I'm saying? Oh good, I just knew you would. ;)

Take a drained can of shoepeg corn and a drained can of green beans (I used two cans).  Mix in 1 can cream of celery soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese.  Crush a sleeve of Ritz crackers on top.  Melt a stick of butter and drizzle on top. Bake at 350 for one hour.  

Now, obviously this recipe is on the (ahem) "rich" side.  I had picked up a nice, healthy rotisserie chicken at Sam's for $4.99 (those are the bomb) so I made a fresh batch of cranberry/orange/apple relish and steamed some broccoli to serve alongside this creamery, buttery batch of green bean and corn goodness.

It was a tasty meal!  Happy cooking!

Party Food, Whoop!

Saturday evening my husband and I were heading to a Christmas party.  I had these ingredients and wanted to make some cookies....

This is what I came up with.  And they were very yummy if you like mint and chocolate!  Mmm, mmm, mmm...

1 stick of Crisco butter (which is 1 cup)

1/2 cup brown sugar (heaping 1/2 cup :)

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs 

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1  and 3/4 cups flour

1 small box vanilla pudding mix

1 tsp almond extract

3/4 tsp peppermint extract

1 bag chocolate chunks

1/2 bag of Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients except chips together.  Blend in chips.  Drop dough onto cookie sheets and bake for 10-11 minutes.

I also made green bean bundles which were a huge hit at the party. I've blogged about these before but I'll give you the quick rundown because everyone loved them so much I'm thinking I'll be making more this Christmas season and you may want to also!

Drain 3 cans of whole green beans.  Cut bacon strips into thirds.  Group green beans in bundles of 5 or 6 and wrap a bacon strip around them.  Place bundles  in 9 x 13 baking dish (foil lined will help you out later).On stove, combine a stick of butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, salt, pepper, and a tsp or so of garlic powder and let simmer for 5 minutes.  Pour butter mixture on top of green bean bundles.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Don't you love you some party food?!?!  Can I get a whoop or fist pump from anyone out there on this subject?!?! :)

By the way, the party was with some other couples from our church and it was a blast! Always fun to have an evening out with friends!