Gift. (The benefits of being married to a graphic designer!)
Finally got to wear my Betty Rubble beads!
Beautiful bride.
Sweet couple.
Gorgeous evening.
I love weddings. So thankful to be included in their day-- Congratulations John and Kristin!
"It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."- EE Cummings
I am more me than I have ever been. It feels nice. I guess that comes with age? The older I get the more I seem to like who I am. At this point in my life I feel like I can be honest with myself. I know what I want and what I need. I'm getting better at taking ahold of it and leaving the guilt behind. I'm also more gentle with myself. I'm forgiving past mistakes (hoping others will do the same) and allowing room for failure. So thankful for the grace that has been extended to me.
I have, however, had some trepidation about this particular birthday. Age thirty-four was the last birthday my mother celebrated before she became quite ill with cancer. As my natural model, this is sort of where the blacktop ends with my mom. It's true I have a whole childhood of sweet and tender memories with her, but in terms of future reference-- it is fading each year that I get older. As I inwardly compare the time line of my mother's life to my own, I can see that up until now our lives have been very much the same. As much as I treasure my mother, and will always keep her close in my heart...this seems to be the place where we sort of part ways. Frightening and freeing. I am making my own map from here on out- and mostly as I go along. It's okay you know? I'm doing it (not always well) but I'm doing it.
I am 34 today. I'm moving forward with love, and courage, and a spirit seeking adventure. I am happy, healthy, and alive. Thank you God.
We went up to the orchard to bbq.
There was lots of swimming.
Laurel jumped off the diving board (into my arms) without a life vest for the first time.
Ian gave her a thumbs up-- or at least his version of thumbs up.
We ate food.
And of course, there were fireworks! Oooh, Ahhh.
Hope your Independence Day Celebration was happy and safe!
This is my 500th post! That's a lot of writing in 5 years! It means so much to me that you come here day after day and read. Even more, I love it when you take the time to leave me a comment or send me an email. I wish I was better at responding to each of them. Please know that I read every single one and they make me smile.
I wanted to do something special for you, so I hired my graphic designer (my husband- wink wink!) to make some fun posters. These were inspired by something similar that I saw on Pinterest a while ago. I spent a little time coming up with my own words...
Venn diagrams are great don't you think? I'm very visual and there's something about that sweet spot in the middle where it all comes together. I'm giving away 5!
(These are 11x17 and printed on 32lb weight paper)
Please leave a comment (maybe you could tell me what your favorite post was?) and I'll pick 5 winners on Friday! Good luck!
XXOO Libby
These little people are the light of my life. I will never know why I was counted worthy to be their mom, but I'm going to spend every single day loving them the best that I can (even if they come into my bed, one by one, at the crack of dawn).
Happy Mother's Day!!
Today was Carl's birthday. The celebration began early with homemade cards and a couple of gifts.
The kids just couldn't wait for him to wake up. For the last several weeks Carl has had to travel to company headquarters for work. It's usually only overnight, but we're used to having him here- working remotely from home. We've been missing him.
Then it was off to the country club for breakfast.
Too bad we couldn't go out and play, it was a gorgeous day. (We had all the monkies with us, and I wouldn't dream of taking them out on the course yet. There are rules, and ettiquette, and collared shirts and stuff.)
Ian is just dying to drive the cart. That'll be the day!
In our family, when it's your birthday you get to pick whatever you want for dinner. So of course meat was on the menu tonight in the form of grilled flank steak. Also strawberry lemonade...
and chocolate peanut butter squares. (I'm warning you not to make them-- dangerously good!)
Then we inaugurated the new patio with a little fire.
It was a perfect day to celebrate another great year. Sure do love that guy. (Thanks for the rabbit ears Laurel)
Happy Birthday Carl! Thirty-eight looks good on you.
Ian's turned two yesterday, but the celebration actually began earlier in the week when we made our way down to the river,
We threw down a blanket and kicked off our shoes,
Ian's best buddy Sylvan was there. Remember him? Ian and Sylvan go way back!
It's so fun to watch these boys grow up and mark each milestone together. (Happy Birthday to Sylvan today!)
Then, last night, on his real birthday, we had friends for dinner.
We ate blue jello cloud parfaits,
and Cookie Monster Cake.
(This was easy to make. I just used the frosting that you can squirt from a can for the fur, and crushed oreos for the the mouth!)
We adults were happy that there was some cake left-over after the kids were served!
Oh that boy! I wondered if I should be more sad about my baby turning 2. He's the last one for me you know? One of the sweetest moments of the day came when my midwife called me and retold me his birth story. It seems like a lifetime ago. Thoughtful of her to remind me that it wasn't.
Instead, I find myself smiling as I think about how he can make a crazy huge mess in record time, how he prefers cheese over any other kind of food, how he sprays me with the garden hose, how his buns look in his big-boy underwear, and how he kisses me more than anyone else in this entire house! He keeps me on my toes and keeps me humble. If not for him I might think I know a thing or two about how to raise children. It turns out that I don't actually know much at all.
It's all new with him, and I'm happy for that because it makes for a lifetime of great adventure. Happy Birthday Son. I love you.
We made a quick trip over to my Grandma and Grandpa's house on Saturday to celebrate Easter. It was the first time that we've seen them since last fall. They travel south in the winter months to escape the rain and snow. It's a rough life for them :)
Oh it was good to be in their company again. The day turned out to be so lovely. It felt like Spring. Finally.
Beach balls and bare feet in the back yard.
The daffodils were blooming.
Sunshine suits Hannah.
My uncle made me a lemon drop. Oooh tasty. Just one for me! Okay maybe two.
Easter basket loot.
There was all kinds of love floating around. (My Dad in the middle. His brothers on the left and right, and the wives.)
Look at all those beautiful people! We barely fit in a frame these days.
Eleven great-grandchildren! Two sets of twins. Yikes.
We drove home late. Pretty mountain huh?
It was up and at 'em on Sunday.
We had brunch at the country club.
Guess who was there?
There were lots of eggs,
and this hilarious attempt at a thumbs up from Ian. Ha!
Laurel found The Golden Egg!!
She scored an awesome basket of goodies.
And here's my Bubba on the course. Maybe some day he'll wear a green jacket too? Wasn't that great? The Master's is one of our favorites to watch.
Whew! It was a good one!
"How can it be?" I ask myself this already knowing deep down it is true. Most days I forget that I'm a grown-up, and now you are eleven? Whoa. It's not a cliche, it really does go by so quickly. Where once there was a paunchy bellied, curly-haired girl sitting snug on my lap, there is now a lovely young lady sitting beside me.
Thank you Emma for being so full of grace towards me. For letting me grow up a little alongside you. For being long-suffering with my endless talking and for not being afraid when you see me cry. Thank you for being swift to forgive me when I mess it all up, for being the first one to ask for a hug. Thank you for finding all the things that I lose and for not making too much fun of me when you have to explain your math assignment to me.
The other day I heard you say (in complete frustration), "I don't get you Mom!" And I know. I know that we are standing on the cusp of big things. I find myself grasping at every last straw of your girlhood. You are literally changing right before my eyes. Growing up is hard. It can be so hard. There are days when I want to pull you aside and put my arm around you and just say over and over again, "I know. I know. I know."
But you are doing it. You are growing up and I am so proud of you. You are incredible inside and out. How did you manage to get your Dad's artistry, his deep blue eyes, long eyelashes, long legs, and his ear for music? All the good stuff! At least you got my hair :) You have strong convictions and I trust your heart. Thank you for wearing it on your sleeve sometimes.
I know I am pulled in a lot of different directions. I know that you don't always get the time with me that you want. I know it is not always easy to be the oldest, and that some days I ask a lot of you. I know our house is messy. It is not nearly as organized as you (or Dad) would like it to be. Every day is not easy. Thank you for reaching out for my hand and always being so free with your "I love yous." Thank you for rising to the challenges and serving others with a heart like Jesus.
Please know that it all began with you. You. You were the one that ignited the previously unknown-to-me place in my heart- a fierce corner that I never knew existed. You have taught me that I am capable of loving so fully- so vehemently. I remember leaving the hospital with you. I cried in the back seat sitting next to you. How could God possibly see me fit to care for you? To keep you alive? To shape and mold and love you enough? It was a mixture of total fear, total awe, and total honor.
Thank you for coming to us. You are a perfect expression of the love that Dad and I have. (Thank you for making barfing sounds when we kiss, pretending to think its gross. It makes us laugh.) Thank you for being our daughter and making it so easy to love you.
Happy 11th Birthday Emma.
Emma wanted to have a sleep over for her birthday. Pizza, ice cream sundaes, games, and a movie. What a delightful group of girls. So mannerly and they were all asleep by 11pm! What do you get an 11 year old for her birthday? Well, this and this and these of course!
Valentine suncatchers. Instructions here.
Valentine's Day is pretty great right? I'm in favor of holidays that promote giving gifts that are sweet, sparkly, lacy, handwritten and mushy gushy.
Hope you are surrounded by sweet things today.
It's snowing. Some of us have the sniffles. We've been keeping it quiet, working on some LOVEly things.
I
I wish you a LOVEly weekend. I'm hoping to burrow under a pile of goose down and get into season 2 of Downton Abbey.
(Taken in July at the Warrior Dash. It was not fun, but my friends pulled me through to the finish. Then I smiled. We were wearing 80's aerobic outfits.)
This past year has been about overcoming for me. Overcoming fears and anxieties and the exhaustion that accompanies all that worry.
My friend Kristen wrote a lovely post here about being confronted with the condition of our hearts under pressure. It made sense to me when she said,
"...when I am squeezed, the contents of my heart will come out."
I think that fear/worry/anxiety has always been a part of my life but I've always been able to cope with it and manage it well. This past year I found it bubbling just under the surface and sometimes spilling over. With four busy children (whom I love, but at this stage of their lives are doing more "taking" than "giving") and little sleep, I was struggling to relegate the anxiety into the corners of my life. It began to take center stage and brought some physical symptoms along with it. It alarmed me enough to really dig in and find some healing for my heart. I read this book which helped me so much. I also read this book over and over again. I sought out some counseling, and most of all...I just learned to let some things go.
You know what's funny? Do you know what was the most freeing thing to let go of?
The unrealistic expectations that I had for myself.
It was such a revelation to realize that no one else expects me to cloth diaper my child. No one else cares if I feed my family 3 made-from-scratch-and-completely-organic meals a day. No one else expects me to weigh 120 lbs and be in tip-top shape. It's not realistic for me to expect that I would be capable of patient and creative parenting at every turn. My friends don't expect thoughtful gifts/emails/phone calls weekly. I had to lay down boundaries with those who thought it was reasonable to expect that I would have all the towels washed, smelling fresh, AND be free from resentment.
I know that it sounds silly, but I had a lot of my personal internal value attached to "being" these kinds of external things. Who could ever do all of that? And if you could, why would you have any need for a Savior? I was putting myself under this huge weight of burden.
My value does not and will never come from what I do. It is never enough...it will just never be enough. Broken, imperfect, marred by sin, Jesus thought me valuable enough to lay down his life for me. His grace towards me-- that's where I find my value. I've known this up in my head for all of my life... but last year I really had the opportunity to flesh it out- to let it settle down into my heart.
It's a processes. Little by little I'm getting there.
Twenty Twelve is going to be about: reinventing, reigniting, dusting off, peeling layers, walking upright, smiling, laughing, trusting, and loving with an open hand.
Happy New Year! Adventures await.
It happens before every big event. Why do I always set myself up? The Martha Stewart magazines come out, I write a bunch of lists, make big plans, and then, at some point, I break.
Today was "breaking day". It was ugly and maybe even childish...but, that's my true nature. Thankfully the tantrum was ushered out by something much more lovely. The light.
On a clear day, around 3:30pm, the most glorious light passes through my bedroom window.
It reminded me of a Greater Light.
The Light of the World (John 8:12). In my heart, and shining on my face. The Son is so warming and so gentle. He brings such a peace.
Bidding me to forget all the rest and come into that stable to experience Christmas. To be recipient of His coming to me. His coming to me on a rescue mission. His coming all the way to me in such humility and great, great Love.
I'm better now. No lists, no idealistic/unrealistic plans. Just me chasing The Light.
Four years ago, on this day, I wrote my first blog post. I love, love looking back over the images and words of this little life of mine. I am so happy to have a catalog of memories all in one place.
I know that I haven't been very regular about posting. If you are still checking in on me- thanks! I am really trying to figure out a way to work in more time for writing. I'd also like to work in more time for brushing my teeth and catching an occasional shower. I guess it is all about priorities.
Our summer has been good. I am squeezing out every last drop. We plan to start homeschooling next week. I'd love to share my curriculum choices, schedules, new philosophies, our school room, and hopes/fears/new philosophies for this school year. I promised myself I wouldn't freak out...but I'm really wondering how it is all going to work out with a toddler in tow. I just keep taking deep breaths and reminding myself that God's grace is big enough to fill in the gaps.
Thanks for sticking with me. I want to chat more soon!
It's my birthday today. I've been tempted to be a little ho-hum about it. I woke up at 4:45am to nurse a baby who didn't go back to sleep, toasted my own frozen waffles, folded a load of laundry, and went without coffee (we're out). The next few hours were spent at swim lessons and tennis lessons, and a wee bit of grocery shopping. No extravagant gifts, no dinner dates, no out of the ordinary. Later on I'll be teaching my birthing class. Mmm-hmm, just another day.
But it is not really. It's not just any other day.
Today is the day that God chose for me to come alive outside of my mother's body. It is the day that my parents held me for the first time. It is when my breaths began, and my eyes first blinked back the brilliant light of day. This is the day that began the cycle of seasons, and months, and moments in my life.
Someone wished me a "Happy Anniversary of You" today. And that made me think.
I think deep on where I've been, who I've become, and what I know to be true about myself. What am I celebrating on this "Anniversary of Me"?
Yes I am a wife. Yes I am a mother. Yes I am a sister, and aunt, and friend- all glorious blessings. But who am I in the absolute core of my being- all other people aside?
It is hard to think about these things. I'm much more comfortable thinking about the innerworkings of other people. Even just devoting an hour to write this post seems somewhat self-indulgent. It's not often that I pour into myself this way.
But God in all of His greatness and grace thinks that I am valuable. At a great cost to himself, He rescued me, and moment-by-moment lavishes love on me. He created me. He gifted me.
And this is who I am:
:: I am a writer. That is hard to say. I am not published. I suck at grammar and spelling and all of that technical stuff. Maybe a "thought sharer" is a better title. Yes, I'm more comfortable with that.
:: I am a creator. (with a little "c"). I have an absolute need to be creative in some fashion every day. It has taken me some time to discover this about myself. Sometimes when I get grumpy I realize that it is because I have not had the opportunity to create anything. Some of my outlets are: cooking, sewing, knitting/crochet, writing, decorating, photography, dance.
:: I am a teacher. (I teach my children, I teach birthing classes, I teach myself. I love non-fiction books!). Teaching is part of me because I love to learn. I never, never want to stop learning.
:: I am an appreciator of beauty. Wild flowers, Anthropologie, a well-baked pie, organized bookshelves, the perfect color lip gloss, homegrown tomatoes, warm wooley yarn, basketfulls of ripe fruit...all lovely things to behold.
:: I am quiet. I love my friends and family. I love to laugh and to have fun. I love to go and do. But...I need the quiet. I need it. The spaces in between are life-giving to me. This is one of my biggest challenges as mom. I need a better balance of this time.
:: I am passionate. There are some things that stir up a rising of sorts in me: natural birth, parenting, education, intentional living, deep relationships, our environment, nutrition, the bible, justice, care for the marginalized/meek/isolated/lonely/diseased and dying. I've yet to take hold of my inner activist :)
And over all,
:: I am renewed. Without any benefit for Himself, Jesus moves towards me and encircles me with an infinte, and self-giving love. He gave himself sacraficially to deal with my sin. He's changed (and is changing) me.
Praise and glory to Him.
Thank you Lord for 33 years of life, for 33 years of heartbeats. Thank you for who you made me to be.
Let's celebrate!
Hannah turned 8 last week. Hannah loves a great party. Even better, she loves a party with a great theme. This year was no exception- she asked for a "spa party".
We asked the girls to wear their pajamas and to come at 9am. After meeting them at the front door with a clipboard and "confirming their appointment", we served breakfast: quiche, sausage, fruit and cinnamon rolls in leiu of cake.
Each girl received a goodie bag (comprised of a Turbie Twist, disposable flip-flops, toe separaters, a mirror, and lip balm). The Dollar Store is great for things like that.
Next, they soaked their feet in some sudsy water and rose petals. I went around and painted their toes. We passed a dish of mints around while they were waiting and had some American Girl magazines for brousing. Mostly they just talked and giggled.
I found some "all natural" mudd masks at Target (one packet was enough for 2 girls) and they applied it themselves using their new mirror.
To complete the facial, they used some cucumber slices as a cooling eye treatment.
When their masks were dry they took turns wiping it off with warm cloths in the bathroom.
It was a fun party, that didn't cost buckets of money and the girls had so much fun.
(wearing her Christmas nightgown!? and holding up her card illustrated by Carl)
Happy Birthday Fun Girl!
Hannah turned 8 last week. Hannah loves a great party. Even better, she loves a party with a great theme. This year was no exception- she asked for a "spa party".
We asked the girls to wear their pajamas and to come at 9am. After meeting them at the front door with a clipboard and "confirming their appointment", we served breakfast: quiche, sausage, fruit and cinnamon rolls in leiu of cake.
Each girl received a goodie bag (comprised of a Turbie Twist, disposable flip-flops, toe separaters, a mirror, and lip balm). The Dollar Store is great for things like that.
Next, they soaked their feet in some sudsy water and rose petals. I went around and painted their toes. We passed a dish of mints around while they were waiting and had some American Girl magazines for brousing. Mostly they just talked and giggled.
I found some "all natural" mudd masks at Target (one packet was enough for 2 girls) and they applied it themselves using their new mirror.
To complete the facial, they used some cucumber slices as a cooling eye treatment.
When their masks were dry they took turns wiping it off with warm cloths in the bathroom.
It was a fun party, that didn't cost buckets of money and the girls had so much fun.
(wearing her Christmas nightgown!? and holding up her card illustrated by Carl)
Happy Birthday Fun Girl!
** I'd like to start by appologizing for my lack of discretion yesterday. I am sincerely sorry if it offended anyone. I really do not condone foul language nor would I allow my children to speak in such a manor. I was mostly just being cheeky and could've done a better job of keeping things wholesome.
Moving on to something more plesant...
Birthdays are abundant around here during the Spring. It was Carl's day yesterday. We spoiled him with a massage at the tennis club on his way home from work, homemade mac n' cheese and an ice cream cake. We have dinner out planned for just the two of us this evening...would you believe it's been more than a year since I've been with this man without our children present? I am a teensy bit nervous, and almost bashful. It is kind of like dating all over again- but better. Better because we are married. Better because I don't have to worry that I have something green in my teeth, or stinky garlic breath (he'll tell me). Better because I don't have order cheap because he's paying (we're paying). Better because I don't have to expend so much energy trying to keep the conversation going (oh the blessed, BLESSED silence). Better because I don't have to wonder if he'll kiss me (he will). Just better, you know?
My mom used to make this cake for me all the time as a kid. I would request it year after year. It is so easy to make...thought I'd share.
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake:
2 pkgs chocolate wafers (I use these)
2 T butter melted
1/2 gal of cookies n' cream ice cream (chocolate chip mint is also yummy)
1 C heavy whipping cream
6 T powdered sugar (or to taste)
*Coat a springform pan w/non-stick spray, and place it in the freezer.
*Put one package of cookies in a gallon ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin.
*Mix melted butter and crushed cookies and press into the bottom of the springform pan to form a crust. Return the crust-filled pan to the freezer.
*Pull the 1/2 gallon of ice-cream out of the freezer and let it soften for 15 minutes or so. When it reaches a spreadable consistency spoon half of the ice cream over the frozed crust.
*Then, layer whole uncrushed cookies on top of the ice cream creating a thin middle layer.
*Spread the remaining ice cream on top of the cookies and freeze for a minimum of 2 hours.
*A few hours prior to serving mix the whipping cream and the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread it on top of the ice cream cake and top with a handful of crushed cookies.
*Put it all back into the freezer for an hour or so.
*When it's time for the Birthday Song and candles, unlatch the springform pan and light it up baby!
Enjoy.
"It has just been discovered that women carry fetal cells from all the babies they have carried. Crossing the defensive boundaries of our immune system and mixing with our own cells, the fetal cells circulate in the mother's bloodstream for decades after each birth. The body does not tolerate foreign cells, which trigger illness and rejection. But a mother's body incorporates into her own the cells of her children as if they recognize each other, belong to each other. This fantastic melding of two selves, mother and child, is called human microchimerism. ~ "Without a Map" by Meredith Hall
I recently came across that quote and thought it was just amazing. Hope you all have a wonderful day reveling in the joy of being a Mother. Happy day!
(Card made by Carl)
Laurel is 5 today. Well, technically not until 3:35pm. I can hardly believe it. I know that as parents we always say that, but really? Can it be? She is indeed 5 and wise beyond her years. Laurel is one of the most loving and generous people that I have ever known. She embodies the call to "Love your neighbor as yourself". I learn from her every day.
Today I am not feeling lucky to be her mom, I am feeling blessed.
Very blessed indeed. Happy St Patrick's Day to you all!
It's hard to believe that Winter Break is almost over. We did some sledding last weekend.
Going up.
Coming down!
No sledding for this lady. I was the picture-taker and baby-warmer.
Happy New Year to all of you. Don't you just love a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning?
Being pregnant and caring for an infant has a way of keeping you on the sidelines (don't get me wrong, I enjoyed being there) but I'm hoping that 2011 affords me the opportunity to get back in the game to some degree. I'd like to take a spin on some cross country skis- never done that before. I'm committed to doing the triathlon again. I'm revamping and expanding my childbirth classes, and hoping to catch a couple births once breastfeeding slows down around here (which might not be anytime soon- The Boy is 19lbs and counting!)
We had a quiet family New Year's Eve. The kids made it until 9:30pm. We all shared a toast before bed. Hannah raised her glass and said, "Here's to a Happy New "not boring" Year." Hear hear Hannah. Hear Hear.
I wish you all a year of big smiles and happy memories.
I really only "made" one or two gifts this year. I'm glad that I didn't try to do more, it ended up being a little bit crazy with everyone feeling so sick.
I was happy with the way these little bread bags turned out.
The instructions came from Home Sewn. The pattern called for hemp which I had exactly zero yards of. I used linen instead. These whipped up quick- maybe an hour for one bag start-to-finish.
The cool thing about these bags is that there is a little compartment of flax seeds sewn into the bottom so that you can heat the bag and keep your bread warm. I gave the bags of bread with some balsamic flavored olive oil for dipping.
What is Christmas without some cookies and fudge? These plates went to our friends. I thought they looked pretty. I bought the plates, ribbon, and ornaments at Target.
Lastly, I made cleaning kits for teachers. (and forgot to take pictures)
The last four days have passed quietly. I've not left the house since Monday morning. The girls have been happily playing with the neighbors and enjoying an abundance of free time. Ian started crawling this week. The Christmas tree is coming down on the 26th!!!
The dishes are done. The laundry is mostly caught up. My house is fairly tidy. The last bottle of amoxicillin disappears tomorrow. There is approx 12-18 inches of snow in my back yard. We've got sleds, and movies, and cocoa, and THE NEXT FOUR WHOLE DAYS to celebrate together. Ahhh, I'm gonna soak it up.
This is going to be one of those posts with random tidbits, a few photos, and bullet points. Ready?
It snowed a lot last weekend. Like 20" a lot!! I just kept coming and coming. It's pretty don't you think? (view from my front window)
Here is a little perspective for you. Emma is sitting in the pile of snow that the city plow pushes to the sides. And no, we do not own a snowblower. It's all me (and sometimes Carl) and a shovel.
I'm working on my Christmas cards. I love tinyprints. Every year they have such great designs to pick from. With my husband being a graphic designer, I'm choosy about things like that.
Taking the picture for the card was a hilarious process. We did it in our bedroom. It involved a tripod, a timer, 4 children, and a santa hat that wasn't cooperating.
When you are working with kids you have to get it right in the first few clicks otherwise things start to go south. I'll share the end result once all of the cards go out.
I'm running slightly behind on most everything. We just cannot get out from under these germs. It has been a tough season for us. I'm chalking it up to public school. Hannah has a double ear infection, a sinus infection, some kind of respiratory thing happening, and pink eye. The others are hacking up a storm and we are going through lots of tissues. Needless to say, there are a few bottles of that pink stuff in my fridge and I hate that.
Speaking of school, I'm gathering my thoughts to summerize our experience so far. Look for that soon.
Speaking of running slightly behind (and 10 days left until Christmas!!) I love this cookie recipe. I made the icebox version with crystallized ginger on the edges. Yumm-o, and, um, totally cinchy. Make the dough now, bake them later.
I haven't done a lot of decorating this year, but lights are always a must. Isn't there something just a little bit magical about their glow? A few weeks ago I ordered several Christmas-themed books from our library (they send them right to my mailbox!!) The TV has mostly been ignored, and there has been a lot of evening reading happening. So far, these two books have been our favorites.
Okay, I'm out of time (baby crying in the the next room) and I'm out of pictures to share. I'll be back soon!
Earlier this year Carl took a huge cut in pay. We are blessed, he still has a job. We are blessed to have all that we need (which is separate from all that we want). There has been a fair amount of scaling back, and, this season, that includes Christmas giving.
The materialistic messages are hard to shut out. I had to turn off the tv, keep the music commercial free, and stay away from the stores unless we were out of toothpaste or something. I've mostly been at home, smiling at my 10 year old faux Christmas tree who's middle string of lights have quit working. Togetherness, sacrificial love, health, the warmth of a place to call home- those are things that matter.
I stumbled upon this little story at the library a few days ago. I intended it to be for the kids, but as I read it, I realized it was more for me. I read it again tonight, this time to Carl.
After reading it, we promised (really promised) not to buy for each other this year and sat closer in the chair that we shared. You know what? I have a feeling that this might just be one of the best Christmases yet. You can read it here.
It was my birthday today...
So I made a cherry-cheesecake pie. Sure wish I could've shared a slice with you! How 'bout the recipe instead?
Cherry Cheesecake Pie
1 box refrigerated ready-to-bake crusts (I know...this is really cheating!)
1/2 cup sugar
1 T cornstarch
2 bricks (8oz each) softened cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 t almond extract (this is really a key ingredient- don't skip this one!)
1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling
Egg white
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 9" pie plate. Fit 1 crust into pie plate. Unroll or unfold remaining crust on a cutting board; cut in 1/2 inch wide strips. Set aside. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add egg and extract, beat until just blended. Spread batter evenly in crust; spoon pie filling evenly over the top. Beat egg white and brush over the strips of pie crust. Arrange 8 strips across the pie. Then place 8 more strips on diagonally over the first strips to form a lattice. Trim ends and press into bottom crust. Brush rim with egg white and press on almonds. Bake 50-60 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack. (I like to serve this cold so I pop it in the fridge overnight.)
Enjoy!
Of Summer (it certainly doesn't feel like it yet)...
Of swim lessons...
and of being 7.
A spunky 7. And I love that. Happy Birthday to the girl who does everything with her WHOLE heart (except cleaning her bedroom). I love you Hannah. The sun shines the longest on your special day.
