tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9553285775549872642024-02-07T00:51:45.565-07:00The Bend in the RoadUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-83759524361858979972010-04-11T11:23:00.001-06:002010-04-11T11:23:18.213-06:00Words to Live By<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S8IFgn59U3I/AAAAAAAAFEw/8krMH4O-kZo/s1600-h/mom%20holding%20child%202%5B6%5D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="mom holding child 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S8IFhMEZn5I/AAAAAAAAFE0/6cPWZ3ast_U/mom%20holding%20child%202_thumb%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="312" height="420" /></a></p> <p><strong>All children need a laptop.  Not a computer, but a human laptop. Moms, dads, grannies and grandpas, aunts, uncles - someone to hold them, read to them, teach them.  Loved ones who will embrace them and pass on the experience, rituals and knowledge of a hundred generations.  Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams.</strong></p> <p align="center">                                                                         --  <em>General Colin Powell</em></p> <p> <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD" target="_blank"><em><font size="1">picture credit</font></em></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-30424509173682160882010-04-07T13:14:00.001-06:002010-04-07T13:14:16.426-06:00Strawberry Cream Crepes<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j5RJhSQ77tx5fz8N4YCLuf6mIZMv6Co_dJEmdmnvM4H1UPJPbg8jhMrR4psw1s_tuANFdhH9ZQQz-oGZeNQ6JHhh_BXsTUefeafwVgvLLzxnUjfaN_mXUKUmyYM_dnwwG-7Ns-pNUPpK/s1600-h/Strawberry%20Cream%20Crepes%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Strawberry Cream Crepes" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S7zZh33MI4I/AAAAAAAAFEU/OZmTLUCTQWE/Strawberry%20Cream%20Crepes_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="269" /></a> </p> <p><em>Back in high school, I took a gourmet cooking class -- funnest class ever! I still  make some of the recipes from that class; here's one of them...</em></p> <p><em>Perfect for Spring. Perfect for strawberry season. Perfect for breakfast or a fancy dessert! This is an easy recipe that gets me lots of 'yums!'</em></p> <p><em>Enjoy.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="3">Strawberry Cream Crepes</font></strong></p> <p> <br />12 crepes</p> <p>2 pints sliced strawberries </p> <p>1/4 cup granulated sugar</p> <p>1   3 oz. package of cream cheese</p> <p>1 cup whipping cream</p> <p>sugar to taste</p> <p> <br />Prepare crepes using your favorite recipe. Toss the strawberries with the 1/4 cup of sugar and set aside. With a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly beat in whipping cream until smooth and thick, but not stiff. Add sugar to desired sweetness.</p> <p>Place a some cream in each crepe and roll up. Chill. Serve strawberries over the crepes.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>Hints:</em></p> <p><em>♦  I double this recipe, especially if company's coming over.</em></p> <p><em>♦ Use a *hand* mixer, not a stand mixer for this recipe. </em></p> <p><em>♦  Sometimes we like strawberries inside the crepes, too.</em></p> <p><em>♦  I've seen this recipe done with chocolate crepes. Oo-la-la! Try it! </em></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2008/06/strawberry-cheesecake-crepe.html" target="_blank"><em><font size="1">picture credit</font></em></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-74739234876671821692010-04-04T17:10:00.001-06:002010-04-04T17:10:44.219-06:00Words to Live By<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S7kcbwZkvuI/AAAAAAAAFEE/62dQ_OAO2WU/s1600-h/resurrection%20morning%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="resurrection morning" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D2bKzsScZ21IXRVMm9lQnWBi6CYqwGD8hyJ-JZXFujbBnuuURyPyr-1aSSWQCsoH2rap9lOh_C3Kaxtq4GLM0b923tUcEsUZidtCrNMwBrOJOZWj4uYEgSWQLwf1GYEvXTDDxAs60fv8/?imgmax=800" width="256" height="355" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>He is Risen!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"> <br />Mr. H's favorite picture of the Savior... <br />thinking of our friend Jason today... <br />feeling very blessed... <br />Happy Easter.</font></em></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-81334786569719641222010-04-02T10:19:00.001-06:002010-04-02T10:19:54.583-06:00A New House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLK37dnjQiojZpmORQ05vYlU-JW73Upzrd8dGzkvKm7pbhgDQEdtwU1H00TQd4ITVrQtM4o_pXEzhN4CoTtya7MW8-KcLAa51a47xFlnPZyPwi1LQYgJRIlIWlPe-fQXtoLSfyKa1yT-l/s1600-h/Its%20a%20Wonderful%20%20Life%20Housewarming%20gift%20basket%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 10px 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Its a Wonderful Life Housewarming gift basket" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9QBhszZ7EvguTzDVNDDSEsqlcDK5Nk-GvfppDTG3jCFlSogBLVPbKKSbm4ddW_pLq3N2ZhoyPCVa6_ZCsidICk4Mslm8c6sk62HhMF0Lui6JLFnmb_pAdpRIRmrgUSEim05-VEKiJACG/?imgmax=800" width="283" height="344" /></a> <p>No, not for me! For my sweet brother and his wife. These two have been through hell for the last few years, and today they move into their own home and get a little heaven! I am so happy for them!! These two are my heroes. I hope I can be like them when I grow up.</p> <p>Here's a little housewarming gift basket I put together for them: it's based on the house blessing from "It's a Wonderful Life".  <font size="1">(you know I *love* that movie!)</font> Do you remember that scene where George and Mary Bailey welcome Mr. Martini and family to their new home?</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Mary</b>: Bread... that this house may never know hunger. <br />[<i>Mary hands a loaf of bread to Mrs. Martini</i>] <br /><b>Mary</b>: Salt... that life may always have flavor. <br />[<i>Mary hands a box of salt to Mrs. Martini</i>] <br /><b>George Bailey</b>: And wine... that joy and prosperity may reign forever. Enter the Martini Castle. <br />[<i>George hands Mr. Martini a bottle of wine</i>]</p> </blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S7YZJSAQW1I/AAAAAAAAFDk/Y4QHFIqYwNo/s1600-h/Bread%20Salt%20and%20Wine%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bread Salt and Wine" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S7YZKHBVIWI/AAAAAAAAFDo/qv3qU1kxOa4/Bread%20Salt%20and%20Wine_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="303" /></a></p> <p>Here's what's in the basket: </p> <ul> <li>♥  salt, yummy specialty bread, and <strike>wine</strike> Sparkling Grape Juice <font size="1">(no one in my family drinks alcohol)</font> </li> <li>♥  tags with Mary's house blessing attached to each item </li> <li>♥  a housewarming card </li> </ul> <p>A housewarming gift basket -- simple and inexpensive -- but full of love and happiness for these two wonderful people! I love it when good things happen to good people. Bliss!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-78290888280007060702010-03-31T10:09:00.001-06:002010-03-31T14:23:34.810-06:00March!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S7NzzaaRXYI/AAAAAAAAFCk/yKH2Ph4TIno/s1600-h/soldiersmarchingclipart_lg%5B5%5D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="soldiersmarchingclipart_lg" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SaYrW3f__RLWBqzc5G4ol_TFUyu62GlH0zi9qYw4ueQPglPlzupD0NmiAN-ktG0u9E0fj5iv_hp9D8RrY62srKNPMv_t0c83KYpsm9SlA4wo9cSx-LRM3ITZm9IKWbAC0grUZnpJ6qTh/?imgmax=800" width="280" height="407" /></a>The month of March sure lived up to its name for me -- it's been a crazy month! The to-do list getting longer, and the calendar filling up until I was crying 'uncle', but no -- the days "marched" on! </p> <p>With a lot of help, I pulled off a big event for the women in our church, but, oh my goodness, there was so much to do! This new church job is keeping me pretty busy from day to day. </p> <p>I also got our Sweet Girl registered for her (gulp) <u>junior</u> year of high school, and Mr. H and I have attended her winter guard performances on the weekends. She is thriving -- we are *so happy* to see her strong and healthy and active. Hallelujah! :-)</p> <p>Mr. H finished up his "<a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2010/02/bird-in-hand.html" target="_blank">bird in the hand</a>" 6 week contract, but not before another 10-month contract came along. So, for a couple of weeks he was working two jobs, and I never saw him! <font size="1">(I know -- feast or famine, right?)</font> He's done with that now, and back on an 8-5 schedule. He's got a bit of a commute. Oh well. We are beyond thrilled that he has some work. Hopefully this contract will get us through to the time when the job market is stronger...</p> <p>Please don't think badly of me when I say I've felt a little down since he started working this longer temp contract -- there is a part of me that is so weary of just surviving and just wants a "real" job and real security (is that even possible anymore?).  Health benefits that actually benefit my family. Is this too much to ask? Although I am *thrilled* he is working, I guess I wanted a "finish line" at the end of this trial. Kind of a "you made it through, against all odds, and here is the payoff -- a permanent job with benefits"! **Trrrrr-ing** <font size="1">(that would be a magic wand sound-effect)</font></p> <p>The reality is that we are going to have to sacrifice, be disciplined and work hard to recover financially from these unemployment/underemployment times, not something a weary person especially wanted to hear. So I had a little pity party.</p> <p>That didn't get me anywhere, so after a bit, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and had a good talk with Mr. H. We can't control much in the job market, in the world, or in Washington -- but we DO have control over our household and our little kingdom. That is a good thing. We are healthy, and have the strength and power to change things. Those are blessings -- not to be wasted.</p> <p>So we cracked open our <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a> books (loooooove him!) and made plans and became proactive.  Boy, it feels good! They are all just baby-steps, but they. are. steps. Couple this with my firm belief -- that you do all you can on your end, and the Lord will bless you -- and I know life will improve, and get better and better. It's not perfect. <font size="1">(I doubt it ever will be, even with a fortune at our feet!)  </font><font size="2">But it's better already.</font></p> <p>Baby-steps! March!</p> <p><a href="http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/25400/25421/soldiers_mar_25421.htm" target="_blank"><em><font size="1">picture credit</font></em></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-17848620134246077862010-02-19T12:56:00.001-07:002010-02-19T12:57:09.977-07:00Cozy<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S37s7em_pQI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/othPjkA2Yzg/s1600-h/february%20snowflakes%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="february snowflakes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S37s72GGYEI/AAAAAAAAE6c/J6S-oqziafw/february%20snowflakes_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="332" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Outside.</strong> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs15GMGtV4xSSMLhyW-MqnoRmWqfwRQljzqRSjA8R6mE9-BqlhP8wM-gdUwk-8tPNhad_4KWW0Y6o-uuuNSPnXmKnFpeXpxIr0_8LokVpxQugksnfMEYQa44TgNpRZBOXvN7B0dOPfcuhx/s1600-h/P1070726-1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="me love cocoa" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S37s8u-ua_I/AAAAAAAAE6k/AcV9dswDU2A/P1070726-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="296" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Inside.</strong></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-978444166556768352010-02-16T13:52:00.001-07:002010-02-17T08:32:44.274-07:00A Table for my Valentines<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFdxe2IXI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/VKTePjrFF10/s1600-h/Valentine%20table%20setting.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine table setting" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFe-z9QbI/AAAAAAAAE1c/1FVQcXDuOF4/Valentine%20table%20setting_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="336" /></a> </p> <p>I didn't do a whole lot of decorating 'round the house for Valentine's Day this year, but to ignore the holiday completely at our house, would be a cardinal sin to at least one of our family members! Valentine's Day is the #1 holiday to our Sweet Girl. She's loved it her whole life. Look -- she even has valentine PJ's! :-)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFfKaqAYI/AAAAAAAAE1g/KcUY1oeN-58/s1600-h/Valentine%20jammies%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine jammies" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFf1yQfcI/AAAAAAAAE1o/AuFypP7Turo/Valentine%20jammies_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="209" /></a></p> <p>Since the kitchen is truly the heart of my home -- we travel through it when we come home, and you can see the table from the front door -- decorating our table with a valentine theme was the perfect idea. I 'shopped the house', and came up with some sweet ideas. Here's what I used:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqweln1Px_b4j8Q04qFn4MQKddw-v924wmfiXJwyHe2VFY50YuQah-HtiAikHsUj7dFhrLRj84oEkkhVU-PH7feLKVQjFXJ5L87SeRv7BcqrUTlzggPHiCbDjNyigbsgorjk57QyG2ft54/s1600-h/Valentine%20place%20setting-1.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine place setting-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFg1BeJNI/AAAAAAAAE1w/qcRtnncGIU8/Valentine%20place%20setting-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="218" /></a> </p> <p align="left"><strong>My trusty red tablecloth.</strong> <em>He's the star at Christmas *and* Valentines.</em> <em>I try to</em> <em>buy a color of tablecloth I can use for multiple holidays. </em></p> <p align="left"><strong>Lacy placemats. </strong> <em>Can you believe they're vinyl? Easy-peasy to clean. Love it.</em> <em>Again, these are used for multiple holidays. I pull these out for Mother's Day, Easter, Spring dinners, etc.</em></p> <p><strong>Red heart plates from Target.</strong> <em>($2.99? Be still my heart!)</em></p> <p>Aww, that looks like a valentine right there! But I added just a couple more touches to the table...</p> <p><strong>Valentine colors in apothecary jars.</strong> <em>No budget for filling these babies to the brim with candy. (Although I love that look) Pretty tissue paper provided lots of fun valentine color for free!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3wMGBKh_zI/AAAAAAAAE2g/DDRFBN7D274/s1600-h/Valentineart.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFh4wHZzI/AAAAAAAAE14/skxBHNsVkDs/s1600-h/Valentine%20jars.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine jars" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxclfEIV3BT4r5vgoEXJKRi9EBv2mPruyyID08gJ_oL68IF1DC5-J5md7XXOZ_X3wJhY1n_0GJ4d2OfNkam62bTXOgaYiMUdOadLJJxUS39gRVjfgAgvx4bW65ZlShRASfjRSyyl8xX-Dv/?imgmax=800" width="273" height="206" /></a></a> </p> <p><strong>A personal touch.</strong>  <em>My favorite. A Valentine picture drawn by our daughter when she was five added such a sweet touch to the table and paid homage to our Valentine fangirl! </em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3wMGBKh_zI/AAAAAAAAE2g/DDRFBN7D274/s1600-h/Valentineart.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine art" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3sFi7CmtDI/AAAAAAAAE2E/TRvgI4ungkk/Valentine%20art_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="206" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>There you have it. A table for my valentines...<font color="#ff0000">♥</font></strong></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-47177173690303834132010-02-15T15:35:00.001-07:002010-02-15T15:39:57.796-07:00I ♥ Valentine's Weekend<p>Really -- does it get any better? Last weekend was the perfect storm for Valentine's Day. It fell on a Sunday, and so you had Friday, Saturday AND Sunday to be spoiled! <font size="1">And I hope you were!</font></p> <p>Our weekend was filled with lots of family activities -- our Sweet Girl had a show on Friday and lots of family came to see her perform. She was thrilled that aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents would come to see her, and I think they enjoyed the show, and seeing what color guard was all about. Saturday, she was off for a Sadie Hawkins dance at the high school (the theme -- Sadie's in the 80's -- in other words, my Sadie's experience! LOL) and had so much fun. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3nMPewTFeI/AAAAAAAAEzU/T6EDezOZqGg/s1600-h/homemade%20pizza%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="homemade pizza" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EoYzIvDb_DcLiic1W-Hk1vuVLh5saIggDkn6g2HdIkI0USB65fU3ww2WmRXnZrErp5qJuEJ96Zoec3bnaDdQe7w_MBdBpEfJM0551nu5BhQAOTRyx8lxdONiomHI-mkAcvef5lyimjOo/?imgmax=800" width="321" height="242" /></a></p> <p>Sunday, we had a family Valentine's Day. I *did* get a few eyerolls from the teenager, but she jumped in anyway, and had fun with old Mom and Dad. ;-) We made home-made heart-shaped pizzas and decorated Valentine sugar cookies together (for the no-fail recipe I use, click <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/05/white-velvet-sugar-cookies.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I made sure the table was all decorated up for the occasion, and I'm not sure, but I think it made the food and the conversation even sweeter... ;-)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3nMQLNX9WI/AAAAAAAAEzc/td2LL9Zi53M/s1600-h/Valentine%20cookies%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine cookies" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3nMQVSGXcI/AAAAAAAAEzg/5qO_owBjynk/Valentine%20cookies_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3nMQ6Qrr0I/AAAAAAAAEzk/h8_w3FHfU98/s1600-h/more%20Valentine%20cookies%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="more Valentine cookies" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3nMRdl1ulI/AAAAAAAAEzo/g-oJTzdTl5s/more%20Valentine%20cookies_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>A romantic classic Cary Grant movie was planned next (the family voted for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058092/" target="_blank">Father Goose</a>) , but the Olympics trumped that, and we went with the next best romantic thing -- the pairs figure skating competition! We watched married couple Shen and Zhao stun the crowd with a beautiful performance and stay at # 1 all night -- pretty dreamy stuff!  </p> <p>A perfect ending to our Valentine's weekend. Hope yours was fun, too. ♥</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-57909548246286029442010-02-14T00:22:00.001-07:002010-02-14T00:22:19.978-07:00Happy Valentine's Day!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3ekptM0bZI/AAAAAAAAEy0/0dLvfYHB9o8/s1600-h/Valentine%20place%20setting%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Valentine place setting" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3ekqtnOjdI/AAAAAAAAEy4/AhFM4Fq3LWk/Valentine%20place%20setting_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="357" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3">Happy Valentine's Day!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">♥</font> <strong>oxox</strong> <font color="#ff0000">♥</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-85598528226400740152010-02-10T09:46:00.001-07:002010-02-10T10:30:46.961-07:00The Cat Who Came to Dinner<p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3Li-jzcIOI/AAAAAAAAEyU/6Cug8A3cH7A/s1600-h/thecatwhocametodinner4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="the cat who came to dinner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3Li-9M70VI/AAAAAAAAEyY/SyWLFrci1no/thecatwhocametodinner_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="287" /></a> </p> <p>Don't you just  love the simple, sweet things that happen in a day to make you smile? These little things -- my 'sweet nothings' --  make my life rich and full no matter what our circumstances are.  Here's one of them: Gracie coming to dinner. Every. single. night. Before we all  have a chance to sit down, Gracie takes <strike>my</strike> her place and gives me that look you see.  "What? I'm here for dinner."  We won't mention the reproachful look I also get every time I "excuse" her from the table...</p> <p align="center"><strong>What are the "sweet nothings" you enjoy in your everydays? <br />I'd love to hear about them... </strong></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-87500318362542402282010-02-08T17:29:00.001-07:002010-02-08T20:29:54.345-07:00A Bird in the Hand<p align="center"><strong>A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>:::</strong></p> <p align="left">That's the motto for the week.  Remember I was telling you I felt <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2010/01/hopeful.html" target="_blank">hopeful</a>? Well, there *was* a little light just around the bend.  Mr. H signed up for two very small contracts today that will get us through the next several weeks.  Just in the nick of time, too --  we were just about down to our last dollar!  <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2010/02/words-to-live-by.html" target="_blank">Yesterday's quote</a> was perfect, don't you think?  </p> <p align="left">It's not our dream situation <font size="1">(and boy, am I ready for a dream situation!)</font>  but my hope is that these little piddly contracts will help get us through until we hear back from the bigger and better opportunities we're waiting on. In any case, a "short-term-contract" bird in the hand is worth two "waiting-to-hear-back-interviews" birdies in the bush...<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3CsfP0ASfI/AAAAAAAAEx0/rhYpLiaOt34/s1600-h/birdie%20in%20the%20hand%202%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 40px 15px 10px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="birdie in the hand 2" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S3CsfqsohDI/AAAAAAAAEx4/SLZQDZgSS08/birdie%20in%20the%20hand%202_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="230" /></a></p> <p align="left">Speaking of bird in the hand, this whole situation and its well-timed blessings brings up another thought: </p> <p align="left">That I am so thankful for a watchful and loving Heavenly Father who notices when even the smallest sparrow falls.  <font size="1"><font size="2">I have felt powerless like a small sparrow many times this year... </font>  </font>But I'm reminded:</p> <p align="left"><strong>Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.</strong> (Matthew 10:31) </p> <p align="left">There is One who hears the pleadings of my heart and holds me safe in His hand. </p> <p align="left">I guess that makes me a bird in the Hand. :-)</p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><em><a href="http://kacecorner.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-14677745394214513142010-02-07T14:02:00.001-07:002010-02-07T14:02:52.801-07:00Words to Live By<p align="center"><strong><font size="3"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S28qdzzNENI/AAAAAAAAExU/KSmP6N73zrM/s1600-h/vintage_keys%202%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="vintage_keys 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S28qen2BlwI/AAAAAAAAExY/V2Rv5vZTtyI/vintage_keys%202_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="364" /></a></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"></font></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4"> <br />Don't be discouraged.  <br />It's often the last key in the bunch <br />that opens the lock.  <br /></font> <br /></strong></font><font size="2">                                                          -- Author Unknown</font> </p> <p> <font size="1"><em><a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/h/hi/hisks/1172982_vintage_keys.jpg" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-86074790677855792122010-02-05T11:37:00.001-07:002010-02-05T12:40:50.241-07:00Dreaming of Warmer Days...<p>I *know* you're like me. You've gone from the January "blahs" to the January "blehs"! I am officially tired of winter. All I can say is thank goodness for February and Valentine's Day: reds and pinks, doilies, hearts,  sweet-nothings to hear and sweet-somethings to eat! Just in time. </p> <p>I found one more thing to get me through these grey, cold days -- look at this picnic basket I found thrifting...</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4B5K0JpdnCXLElTrwdn5eb93Qn8U-8E1fz52n7DEMh2kaFBg2cwetOEHteyRu2JBXylSkMx2oekgti35vVKL5fC0E069fxoO_eLY0h8Mc7y_TsGtHmp4zkOOpuDZDe77mfqijJS-Fs2C/s1600-h/Picnic%20Basket-1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Picnic Basket-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S2xlcyJAzjI/AAAAAAAAExQ/YIae2a8KcfU/Picnic%20Basket-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319" /></a> </p> <p align="left">...with all this inside. Now I'm *really* dreaming of warmer days!  ♥ And a picnic with Mr. H. ♥   </p> <p align="center"><strong>C'mon Spring -- hurry up!</strong></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-70450645026934018782010-01-29T22:11:00.001-07:002010-02-03T14:11:25.701-07:00Hopeful<p><img style="margin: 0px 15px 10px 0px" align="left" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2254065473_0338c7a26a.jpg" width="295" height="387" /></p> <p>I'm rebelling. I'm here, when I should be working through a very long to-do list. But it's late, and I'm tired...</p> <p>Bloggy-time has been scarce today - this week - this month! It's been one big thing after another -- remember that <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2010/01/chugging-right-along.html" target="_blank">train</a> I boarded at the beginning of the year? Yeah. Still chugging away -- but we will check off the last big January to-do item this coming week, when Mr. H's mom and sister come for a visit.</p> <p>When that visit is done, life should slow down...a little...I hope...</p> <p align="center"><strong>:::</strong></p> <p>I just love this picture. It totally captures my life right now.  The new year has brought much more interest and many more calls,  job-wise, for Mr. H.  I'm so thankful for that. I would rather we were past 'interest' and more into the 'making offers' stage, but I'm doing okay -- things just "feel" different out there now, and I feel hopeful. </p> <p>I feel just like this picture. We're certainly not out of the woods (in fact, the wolf is closer than ever), but is that a light just around the bend? Are we <em>almost</em> there? Or is this just slightly desperate, wishful thinking? I want to shake my head and be wise and prepare for the worst. That's practical.</p> <p>But I just can't shake this feeling...</p> <p>hopeful.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="1"><em> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/larsvandegoor/2254065473/" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-23664755914588310152010-01-26T16:12:00.001-07:002010-01-27T08:39:27.880-07:00Crispy French Toast<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S1921A8cNoI/AAAAAAAAEtk/d59M8bT4YzA/s1600-h/Crispy%20French%20toast%20closeup%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Crispy French toast closeup" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW5etRyKJLViYzXp-SOJgnGnBY4qMXUU0JlavtCtfxExRNovq7MYlDHKCQC94tAZw413Y6wnpt6jJUx1Otn2nY9yvgJYv5xMEBw_e_blw3VxypLU9WP1TVITP4jkmQRgL_GQw81wbSWCe/?imgmax=800" width="301" height="256" /></a> <em>Not too long ago, I <font size="1">(who never wins anything)</font> won a giveaway at our family's recipe blog. <font size="1">(Thanks, Deb!)</font> One of the things I won was a  calendar filled with delightful, delicious, decadent breakfast recipes. </em></p> <p><em>This is one of those calendar recipes:  Crispy French  Toast. Think State Fair meets breakfast: there's a crispy coating and some deep-frying involved. </em></p> <p><em>Yummy -- and  a fun change from regular, ol' boring french toast. Give it a try...</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="3">Crispy French Toast <br /><font color="#ffffff">.</font></font></strong></p> <p>8 cups vegetable oil for deep frying</p> <p>6 thick slices of white bread (Texas toast)</p> <p>2 eggs</p> <p>1 cup milk</p> <p>1 teaspoon vanilla</p> <p>1 teaspoon cinnamon</p> <p>1 Tablespoon sugar</p> <p>2 cups cornflakes <br /><font color="#ffffff">.</font></p> <p>Preheat deep-fryer to 375° F. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. Beat well. Place cornflakes in separate bowl. Dip bread slices in egg mixture and press into cornflakes. </p> <p>Carefully slide coated bread slices into hot oil. Fry on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Hints</strong>:</p> <p>► It doesn't say to crush up the cornflakes in the original recipe. Do it. Smaller cornflake pieces make for a more uniform, crispy coating.</p> <p>►  More eggs, a little less milk -- the coating will stick better.</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="1"><em>original recipe: Beyond Oatmeal, 2010 calendar from Carlene Duda</em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-18188283911526248922010-01-24T22:56:00.001-07:002010-01-24T22:59:24.241-07:00Words to Live By<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S10yiQvWgaI/AAAAAAAAEss/eOPOcgYSYp8/s1600-h/sun-rays%5B3%5D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="sun-rays" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S10yi0iuGbI/AAAAAAAAEsw/kna-hdCjW24/sun-rays_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="419" height="315" /> </a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>One joy scatters a hundred griefs.</strong>  </font></p> <p align="center">                                                                           --  Chinese Proverb</p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><em><a href="http://carrieanddanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/sun-rays.png" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-85370023131093512012010-01-18T00:01:00.000-07:002010-01-18T08:36:28.243-07:00All We Really Need to Know...<p align="center"><img src="http://www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum/exhibitions/2009/images/cooney_rumphius.jpg" width="449" height="366" /></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Miss Rumphius</font></em></p> <p><font color="#ffffff">.</font> <br />Say hello to a big fan of children's literature. When I came across this the other day, I knew I had to share it. Enjoy...</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3">All We Really Need to Know We Learn from Children's Books</font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Do something to make the world more beautiful.</strong></p> <p align="center">Miss Rumphius</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Clean up the house when you're through playing.</strong></p> <p align="center">Cat in the Hat</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>You don't have to fight if you don't want to.</strong></p> <p align="center">The Story of Ferdinand the Bull</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>We're meant to need each other.</strong></p> <p align="center">Missing May</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Believe in yourself.</strong></p> <p align="center">The Little Engine That Could</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Best friends are terrific!</strong></p> <p align="center">Charlotte's Web</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Eat balanced meals.</strong></p> <p align="center">Bread and Jam for Frances</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>There's no place like home.</strong></p> <p align="center">The Wizard of Oz</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Don't go uninvited into other people's yards.</strong></p> <p align="center">The Tale of Peter Rabbit</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Don't cross the street without your mother!</strong></p> <p align="center">Make Way for Ducklings</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Don't open the door to strangers.</strong></p> <p align="center">Lon Po Po</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>You don't have to be perfect at everything you do.</strong></p> <p align="center">The Chicken Sisters</p> <p align="center">::</p> <p align="center"><strong>Adapt to a new situation.</strong></p> <p align="center">Don't Laugh, Joe</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#8d6996" size="3">What have <u>you</u> learned from children's books?</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#8d6996" size="3"></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font color="#808080" size="1"><em>picture: Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney</em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-42296032112965212992010-01-17T00:06:00.000-07:002010-01-17T00:06:00.449-07:00Words to Live By<p><img style="margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px" align="left" src="http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Funny11.jpg" width="215" height="300" /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong><font size="3"> <br />Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him <br />and He shall direct thy paths.</font> </strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>             </strong><font size="2">-- Proverbs 3:-5-6</font></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font size="1"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Funny11.jpg" target="_blank">picture credit</a> <br /></font><font size="1">original post idea from  <a href="http://vistawoman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine</a> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-87207394679785628842010-01-14T08:10:00.001-07:002010-01-14T08:17:57.419-07:00She Made It!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GOfOtirFbzGspmYrLHp1M6I-V_10idtP783FodOWWyjQMuD8nbN-aDvtWyzMuziRQ4mcVzwX5f51Dh0hJXIOKLewteaFBjAmW2UGm7UoIjlDvM3BwQduZrBWkaUmQR4brikxSV2DiU8i/s1600-h/Topoftheworldgirl7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Top of the world, girl!" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S08z-MbhtZI/AAAAAAAAEpU/FOOvgDlQlMk/Topoftheworldgirl_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="262" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>No more pillows, no more 'looks'</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>No more wheelchairs or stacks of books.</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>No more leaning, no more pain</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>No more surgery, or feeling drained.</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong>No more doctors, no more ... <br /></strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff">.</font></p> <p align="left">...ah, forget it -- you get the picture! She made it! Say hello to our healed up girl!  </p> <p align="left">She is busy and active, and a member of the school's winterguard team (you know, a team that does routines with flags?).  Her ever-present pillow has been retired. Woo-hoo!  This has been a long time coming (details <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/06/catching-up.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/07/never-ending-to-do-list.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/07/words-to-live-by.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and I'm SO counting this as a belated Christmas present! Life is good. ♥</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-69957542192212577522010-01-11T09:47:00.001-07:002010-01-11T10:42:55.027-07:00Chugging Right Along...<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN6sK5R_It2GReLoy7GqU36cfP8WxODNeW4dsDYLoIDcczGxCZjdRUYSG63CSB600awtcaHkQ56ekiAn4qIgAUeNcqtvWbTZmQXZj8qJBEIwDjxGbWUoPlCFee6XOWgeHTEJYpylscZKv/s1600-h/traincomingaroundthebend5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="train coming around the bend" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/S0tWDyggGeI/AAAAAAAAEoc/HA0NZ9b0kkk/traincomingaroundthebend_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="382" /></a> </p> <p><strong>So, how's your 2010 so far?</strong> Mine is chugging right along! </p> <p>When I think of the new year, <br /><-----  this is the image that pops into my head. The new year has been busy, busy, busy!</p> <p>I feel like I'm a passenger on a train and life is whizzing by the windows, and the train is carrying me along, like it or not!</p> <p>I got a new job at church -- after 10-plus years of working with children and their leaders in Primary, I'm now in the women's organization (RS). Talk about a mind shift! I've been scrambling to learn the new duties, but I finally feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it now. </p> <p>Those aren't the only changes. As my 'Words to Live By'  have been hinting, (click  <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/12/words-to-live-by_27.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2010/01/words-to-live-by.html" target="_blank">here</a> ) other mind-shifting changes are looming for me. Perhaps at the next station, even.</p> <p>In spite of many calls and interview opportunities in the past couple of months, nothing has really panned out, and it's <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/11/feast-for-heart.html" target="_blank">time to make hard decisions</a>. I'm pretty good at making things stretch, <font size="1">(almost to a magical level, I was told...LOL)</font> but it can't go on forever. Resources dwindle down, even with the tightest budgets. </p> <p>Our plan of having me go to school, and then jump into a career of my choice once the Sweet Girl's flown the nest, has changed. It's time to enter the workforce <u>now</u> and help out the family. I am more than willing to roll up my sleeves and do what needs to be done, but privately, quietly, deep down in my soul, there is heartbreak over this.  I don't want to give up any part of my <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/05/labor-of-love.html" target="_blank">labor of love</a>.  I could write a post all by itself on this, but I won't.  Just know that words like "infertility", "you'll never have children", "you're expecting!", "I only have one", and "Mr. H, being able to be a mother is a gift to me from heaven", and "I don't want to miss a *minute* of this!" ... are involved. Enough said.</p> <p>So, I tuck these feelings away and give myself a good talking to --  I'm trying to be positive and proactive and see what's around the bend for me. The challenge will be to see if I can trust in the Lord's will, and be open to this journey -- and stop checking my ticket to see if I got on the wrong train! </p> <p>I've found out by experience that when you do what's right, good things happen. Even when it's hard. I have to believe that good things are just around the bend...</p> <p>Wish me luck.</p> <p><font size="1"><em><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3616734147_917dc51f39.jpg" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-82878842936863498152010-01-10T00:20:00.000-07:002010-01-10T00:20:00.109-07:00Words to Live By<p align="center"><img src="http://ri.rediffiland.com/homepimages/home8/306/db4c86e8b956171af3520f021599d73e/homep/images/1245640767" width="300" height="319" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><font size="4">Time does not change us. It just unfolds us. <br /></font> <br /></strong>                                               </font><font size="2"><strong>- Max Frisch</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="1"><em><a href="http://ri.rediffiland.com/homepimages/home8/306/db4c86e8b956171af3520f021599d73e/homep/images/1245640767" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-1398236080259118582009-12-31T21:59:00.001-07:002009-12-31T21:59:17.267-07:00Killing Time<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BB-fkwtI/AAAAAAAAEnU/LIiEm-q58sM/s1600-h/a%20little%202009%20voodoo%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="a little 2009 voodoo" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BC92rXKI/AAAAAAAAEnY/YKrrAZ1ykuQ/a%20little%202009%20voodoo_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="290" /></a></p> <p>The last day of 2009. Hey, there's something to celebrate, and it's not even midnight yet!</p> <p>As you can tell, Mr. H and I are not sorry to see old 2009 go. </p> <p>The Sweet Girl's off at a neighborhood New Year's Eve party tonight, but Mr. H and I have elected to stay home and have a special party of our own. No guests over this year.  </p> <p>Best not to have witnesses. </p> <p>I don't know if I can describe our 2009 without using a four (or maybe even a *five*) letter word. Tonight's all about <strike>therapy</strike> payback. The theme? Killing Time. Take that,  2009! <font size="1">(yeah, that would be Mr. H's pin stuck where the sun don't shine!)</font></p> <p>We went out on a fun date earlier today, to pick our mascot for this past year. Here he is:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BEOt1agI/AAAAAAAAEnc/1lMbOjvvcEY/s1600-h/Official%202009%20Mascot%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Official 2009 Mascot" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BFAJ6SJI/AAAAAAAAEng/LEEMVcb_eUY/Official%202009%20Mascot_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="1">official 2009 mascot</font></strong></p> <p>Oh, the things we're gonna do to this guy at the stroke of midnight. The beatings will commence. <font size="1">(heh heh)</font> We will then take a special pleasure in kicking this guy out our front door,  and slamming it behind him! Goodbye forever, 2009! It's gonna be a great night. <font size="1">Ya think Martha Stewart will steal my party idea? </font></p> <p>Before you think today's all about murder and mayhem, take a look at what we did earlier this afternoon:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxege-nakXWUUFfyViv9usAw3WQyyLCxapZw5IvLHso4ACOfMmp9zl3XhoLGQ9MS2oJqXvMTybDdUVjrnDpNuNBYTewb5PcazKTGS-I1tmMl-Fe_ucdwKLDXKzT9QqPSfICbtPn4SDKDO4/s1600-h/New%20Years%20Cookies%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="New Years Cookies" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BHK1dopI/AAAAAAAAEno/G0XyZc4hOIk/New%20Years%20Cookies_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="227" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BIN8XFkI/AAAAAAAAEns/2-zaa1XBIc8/s1600-h/New%20Years%20Cookies%20ready%20to%20go%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="New Years Cookies ready to go" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/Sz2BI-Kg-eI/AAAAAAAAEnw/63i6UWReF0A/New%20Years%20Cookies%20ready%20to%20go_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="227" /></a> </p> <p align="left">We made giant chocolate chip cookies, wrapped them up, and delivered a round of "<a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/01/new-year-cookie-treat.html" target="_blank">midnight snacks</a>" and New Year's best wishes to some of our favorite people here in the neighborhood. </p> <p align="left">We're very much looking forward to a new year. Bring on 2010!</p> <p align="center"><strong>:::</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Best wishes to you, too --  Happy New Year!!!</strong></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-84613296700754149342009-12-27T10:05:00.001-07:002009-12-27T10:05:17.535-07:00Words to Live By<p align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8tLwzG1dpoxCwoNpoLiv1CsOMbewpE0zZGCjFMJxeSE7e3_GD-HAxeqv7MLTGDUaxC1QSvbaoZk8ox60E5WFiQQgumLAiXYWvDjM8PAFGE2PaidykzmYpGnV1AWVhFWEFjACZxaWh5B4/s1600-h/the%20beginning%20the%20end%20steps%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" border="0" alt="the beginning the end steps 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9fxzwqdIcLlEl7sRRNhkIi_fT69URteBGL4Xr3O3Uecm4DpdmkZxQh_91Ayj023QYXhVU6nwhgHtwdr5INyMfAUg_wPWl7UqCnWQeU-xAqSW-bywzMpgmQ6QqXqhygSsuS2dqzNB9uJF/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="291" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> <br /><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"><strong>For last year's words belong to last year's language <br />And next year's words await another voice. <br />And to make an end is to make a beginning. <br /></strong></font> <br />                                                                                   <font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">-- T.S. Eliot</font></p> <p><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/for%20last%20year%252527s%20words%20belong%20to%20last%20year%252527s%20language%20and%20next%20year%252527s%20words%20await%20another%20voice.%20and%20to%20make%20an%20end%20is%20to%20make%20a%20beginning./adodson3/AnitasPics134.jpg" target="_blank"><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS"><em>picture credit</em></font></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-91971412089098982092009-12-24T16:14:00.001-07:002009-12-27T09:47:30.404-07:00Neighbor Gift: Christmas Star<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/SzP1sGxhttI/AAAAAAAAEmA/bANWSiT6e1Y/s1600-h/P1070074%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1070074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioCBePMUvWzu9pH3X4BebZhIEE9Cq1ZgtluMRxzTwqM2U8ZG9deJQBa5BN3wE0eHh19PIvuJmO0ajZ1Yz0tIj0oUcTYumUegKISRPcpwQt3pQZ3FsMtIA3tAZ49g12HPLsMFD6Np9isTf/?imgmax=800" width="410" height="309" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Way back in November, I asked our family about Christmas. I knew it was going to be a different holiday this year; the budget would be very tight --  so I asked them to fill in the blank: "It's just not Christmas without ______________." </p> <p align="left">One of the things that went on that list came from Mr. H -- it was really important to him to do neighbor gifts. So he and I put our heads together and came up with a couple of ideas we just loved -- a little nicer than usual -- and decided these would be our Christmas gifts to each other. </p> <p align="left">For our empty-nester neighbors, we made the <a href="http://www.thebendintheroad.net/2009/12/neighbor-gift-stress-free-apple-crisp.html" target="_blank">Stress-Free Apple Crisp</a>. We kept one bag/kit for ourselves and had it on Sinterklaas Day. Yummy! We had guests pop in that night, and I was able to offer them warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream on the spot. I *totally* looked like some kind of Martha Stewart that night! Ha! If they only knew....I'm not telling! :-)</p> <p align="left">For our other neighbors with kids, we made this Christmas Star. The idea is that someone takes the star, does something nice for someone else and leaves this star on their pillow. Then *that* person does something nice for someone and leaves it on *their* pillow....get it? A whole lotta nice going on during the month of December.</p> <p align="left">I copied this idea from a scrapbooky book I found at the library. That's where I got the text for the tag. To make the tags, I picked up the kind you see in the picture at the office supply store and used an old-fashioned font for the words and then mod-podged it all to make it a little more sturdy. (Click on the picture to see the words more clearly.)</p> <p align="left">For the star, I went to Michael's and picked up some flat paper-mache star ornaments. I looked and looked for Christmas scrapbook paper to decorate the star with  that would go along with what I had in mind, but I could never find it. So... I made some myself:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNG9epEbklZWQQL-IMkidBD7wVD6W65nUTYm8j8zVtXEJ8HXSn8ZsxviZDJb-hf8WqqkAFzlaqBFk6DZFUUyPahhW7_xifQk7HkHDxbQOrPJiekSr2LQ5cKPEFb-KdTHiq1PDnNUKzZnr/s1600-h/P1070027%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1070027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/SzP1v2vapiI/AAAAAAAAEmM/qfv4hR_DPfk/P1070027_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="322" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Christmas words: ...<em>believe...merry and bright...star...celebrate....Savior...service <br />...good tidings of great joy...peace...love...wonder</em>.... you get the picture.</p> <p align="left">I painted the stars to match the color used in my words, turned the paper over and cut out a star shape. I antiqued it a little, and then attached it and mod-podged the whole thing. Later, we packaged them up and went out together as a family early in December delivering stars and wishing all our neighbors (who were are *very* thankful for) a very Merry Christmas.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/SzP1xFH0gwI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/4IT71qJRnxg/s1600-h/other%20Christmas%20stars%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="other Christmas stars" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xHDzyuZOhQE/SzP1yPWWOfI/AAAAAAAAEmU/DDjODyJk0f4/other%20Christmas%20stars_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324" /></a> </p> <p align="left">There have been many variations on this idea -- you don't have to go to the extra effort I did this year -- I've seen it in elementary schools with simple cut-out foam stars and a little note; here's one that was delivered to us a few years back. It looks like a magic wand! Cute!</p> <p align="left">This Christmas star was a fun project for me. A labor of love. </p> <p align="center"><strong>:::</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients <br />of a truly merry Christmas.</strong> <br /><em>                                                                    ~ Peg Bracken</em></p> <p>The neighbor gifts, the 12-day nativity -- all of these projects were ingredients of a merry Christmas for me. ♥</p> <p align="left">I hope you and yours are having fun December days -- <strong><font size="3">Merry Christmas</font>!!</strong></p> <p align="left"></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955328577554987264.post-41620933713478641642009-12-23T23:40:00.001-07:002009-12-24T08:55:13.648-07:00Mustard Ring<img style="margin: 15px 10px 5px 15px" border="0" alt="" align="right" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v0w6Qbu3Rds/Sb1Cr0PmneI/AAAAAAAAAjM/0pZCfz4CL3E/s320/mustard2.jpg" /> <p>A bitter cold wind is whistling around the house today, but I'm warm and toasty inside, and plotting out our Christmas dinner. We're serving ham this year, thanks to a Christmas elf sister. Thanks sis! ♥</p> <p>Now, don't tell sister-elf, but I'm not a big fan of ham. Never have been. But if you serve a mustard ring with your ham -- look out! I will "pig out"! <br />(<font size="1">pun intended! heh heh)</font> </p> <p><strong>So what the heck is a mustard ring?</strong> </p> <p>It's a pale yellow creation -- very pretty, and if you see it on the table, you might be fooled into thinking it's a light lemon dessert. But this little side dish belongs with the ham, not the desserts. The few times I've seen this served, it's been done it a pretty mold (like in the picture). How does it taste? That's a little hard to describe -- there's a light, chiffony, sweet and sour thing going on there -- but the mix of flavors is a perfect match for ham. It's delicious!</p> <p>Be brave! Give this recipe a try. I promise ham will never be the same at your house...</p> <p><font size="3"><strong> <br />Mustard Ring <br /></strong></font><em>serves 4</em></p> <p>4 eggs, beaten well</p> <p>3/4 cup sugar</p> <p>1 Tablespoon dry mustard</p> <p>1/2 teaspoon salt</p> <p> <br />...then, dissolve:</p> <p>1 envelope Knox gelatin</p> <p>3/4 cup white vinegar</p> <p>1/4 cup water</p> <p> </p> <p>Mix all together. Cook in double boiler, or a thick pan. Stir until mixture becomes thick. Keep stirring until done. Let it cool.</p> <p>Add 1 cup whipped canned milk. (freeze milk to 'slushy'). </p> <p>Pour into a mold, or a bowl if you prefer. Refrigerate until firm and set.</p> <p align="center"><strong>:::</strong></p> <p>My recipe is from a dear family friend, but you can also find another recipe <a href="http://moveablefeastscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/mustard-ring.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="1"><em><a href="http://moveablefeastscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/mustard-ring.html" target="_blank">picture credit</a></em></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2