Key Lime Pie

A "Healthy" winter treat:

2 cartons of key lime low fat yogurt

1 3 oz pgk of no sugar lime jello dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water

1 tub low fat cool whip.

Mix all together and put in a graham cracker crust. Refigerate.

Easy Peasy japaneasy and hardly any calories! This is what I'm switching to for our New Year's eve bash! Along with the pulled pork sandwiches. Recipe for that takes a bit longer (like 2 days) but boy is it worth the effort!

Video blogging

Well thanks to other blogging friends I've figured out how to do the video! Aren't you all going to be glad. I have 3 of them done. Though I added music I haven't figured out how to up load all that onto the blog it does go onto a CD anyway! So friends and family have lots to look forward to! What with a new camera and blogging I should be a great bore to everyone else but it will keep this old lady out of trouble anyway. I would be curious as to the quality that everyone else sees.

New Year's Resolutions

We got a membership to the wellness center today. The weather forecast is for lousy walking weather in the next few days so I gave up and in and decided walking indoors might be ok. So we tried it out tonight. Wow do they have a ton of machines to try out there. And even your own personal tv. Cool. There are ellipitical machines, treadmills, bikes, weight machines galore, balls, free weights and enough to keep me occupied for more than the hour that I was there. So, I will have no excuse for not losing the 10 extra pounds that I'm carrying around before it turns into 20 or 30 extra pounds. I have my buddy to keep prodding me to go. I have the exercise habit firmly ingrained. Next I will actually have to stop with the bad eating habits that have quickly developed in the last few months! So watch for me to keep you bored with my weight loss monitoring. If I don't mention anything-I'm not doing so well.

Putting it all away:

The Christmas things hide in every nook and cranny and rediscovering them is sometimes an interesting challenge. Usually, the 26th is the day that I take it all down and pack it all back up and return it to the basement storage. Today was just too busy, so there will be one more day of Christmas at our house. Then the Christmas village gets put up. All the ornaments will be repacked. I will have to find every hidden poinsetta, santa, tree, light, window hanging, wreath and pick and get them back in the tub neatly! The manager scenes come down. The tree gets packed up and put away. The leftover tubes of wrapping paper get bundled off to hibernation until next year. (I've had some paper for as long as three years!) It used to be we had cardboard boxes for all the Christmas items. Yellowed newspaper to wrap everything in. But we've switched to the sturdy plastic tub. Much nicer. And then it will feel like January. The mirthless, long, dark month. It was good to have this bright hope of Christmas shining in our lives if even for such a short while. It will carry us through the rest of the darkness.

Family Christmas

What has massive amounts of loud, disorganization, disarray, and craziness? A family under one roof that contains...3 grown kids, their spouses, two grandkids under 2, two dogs, one onery cat, and parents whose house isn't as big as it feels when there's just the two of them! There was a ton of prep work first: as in cooking cleaning stuff; There was massive amounts of eating--cookies, candy, pies, sweet rolls, almond pastries, chips, leftovers of all sorts; Lots of sitting around watching old movies on tv, (and let me say here, that I did plan ahead and had several new release DVDs on hand but then our DVD player decided NOT to work) plenty of reading (good thing there was no technical glitch with the books we had!) lots of picture taking, a few walks, church, more eating, napping, game playing, arguing, laughing, remembering, hugging and loves. Another minor glitch came when the cat bit our oldest on the arm and he had to make a run to the emergency room on Christmas Day; and there were too many people at the shooting range for the 'boys' to get to do their annual trap shooting event. No snow. But it was a perfect Christmas for us and I wouldn't trade it in for anything. Enjoy some pictures of our day!

Frankincense and Myrrh and Gold

The tree is trimmed, the stockings hung,

the stories read, the carols sung,

I've placed the gifts beneath the tree

The stockings bulge with mystery.

The scene is set for Christmas Eve,

But then before I turn to leave

There in the stable small and brown

I lay the Baby Jesus down

Soft gently in his manger bed,

Wisps of straw to pillow his head.

"Welcome, welcome, little one,

Child of Mary, God's own Son."

Somehow I feel the hours spent

In making Christmas evident-

the wrappings sparkling green and red,

The sugar cakes and gingerbread,

Beribboned wreaths and candleshine-

All these are proferrred gifts of mine

Made up of thoughts and love and time,

Just simple gestures, not sublime,

But offered in His name today,

My efforts seem in some small way

Much like the Magi's gits of old-

My frankincense and myrrh and gold.

-by Ethel Dietrich-

May your Christmas day be full of the all the Hope that was promised that first Christmas.

Grocery Shopping

Today I'm shopping with a list. It makes it easier to say "No" to the big kid in my life who's always putting stuff in the cart when he thinks I'm not looking. Trying to keep him eating healthy is no easy feat. But this is the "before the company gets here" trip. Wild shopping ensues: m&m's; bread;apples;potato chips;popcorn;bugles;whitechocolate chips;meat; I know what you're thinking "that all sounds necessary" The problem is we eat all that stuff too, and don't need a bit of it. But the rest of the gang might starve if we don't have a full fridge. So, it's off to the grocery store just to make sure there's no empty stomachs over the weekend. Let's just hope we don't break the bank!

Time to Clean!

Friday is a big day here. The kids (well, 2 of the 3 anyway) are coming.

There's something wonderful about having company. Even if it's just your kids. It's my perfect motivation for Cleaning! (it's also a great way to get hubby to help, too) They do realize I'm not normally neat. They have seen my house totally askew. But there is something to be said for having clean bathrooms, made beds, swept, washed, polished, scrubbed, and put away- everythings. It makes it easier to relax. To not think about what's at home that looks this messy and even more-it makes them feel welcome! Well, at least that's the message I hope they're getting. They are so Welcome! In a way that's a take on my spiritual life too. It's Christmas season. I am saying, "Welcome, little one, to a pretty messy world, but to my heart that has turned to You. I've swept and I've scrubbed. I'ts not perfect. But I'm so glad You're here."

Let it Snow

With the prediction of snow, or freezing ice for tomorrow all I can say is: Let's ski! My cross country skiis are collecting dust. So I could use a good work out in the morning with a great ski... Well, where remains a mystery yet. The streets sometimes work if I get out early enough. The golf course can be hard slogging since no trail gets groomed there. Oh well, the skiis look pretty enough standing up next to the house. Maybe I'll just walk around and admire them. That should work. We'll see in the morning!!

The First Cup

For some 30 odd years I skipped the coffee in the morning. (In the afternoon and evening too. I never touched the stuff) What was wrong with me? I loved the smell of it. My parents always drank coffee. I could have used it during college. And it's a very social thing to do. I was always invited to sit and drink coffee while I visited, waited, or studied. Instead, I spent all my time turning it down. So what momentous event occurred to change me into a coffee-a-holic? I took a trip to England. Of all places to learn to drink coffee in the land of high teas! But that's exactly what happened. Their tea was way too strong for my taste. So in a small resurant in Coventry I had a wonderful cup of coffee. I fell in love. I became a coffee connoisseur. Everywhere I was guzzling coffee. I found: It's best drunk out of a ceramic cup. Distilled water makes it even better. Grinding my own beans fresh every morning is wonderful. Flavors are ok but I'd rather have the strong French roast kind and perhaps add some cream. No sugar. My husband knows just how I like it and can make a fine cup, though he will never drink it himself. (Odd). Now I even get Birthday, Christmas Mother's Day and anniversary presents of Coffee. Actually this is none too soon either as we have TWO coffee shops in town and I can indulge in the best kind whenever I need to pamper myself.

A poorly worded version of "The night before Christmas"

'Twas the week before christmas and all through the house boxes and wrapping paper were strewn all about. The dog and the cat play happily, no worries for them about christmas visitors yet to arrive. The baking half done and groceries yet to procure; The turkey needs to thaw, the pies have to be baked, and what games shall we play or movies shall we watch? Do I need to have a plan or can we just talk?

No snow or a blizzard has yet made a show. I'm caught in the trap that's right out my door-commerialism, and glitter only making me want more.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear-children in costumes and singing bright songs

reminding me of Christmas and the reason to cheer.

Jesus, a baby come to meet my deepest need-which I find not in presents, in trees or in glitter. Not in the snow, the elves or the baking. Christmas is quite simple it seems-

just the manager to remind me that plain is fine.

So on with the WORD and on with Good Cheer, Salvation has come as the Angels have declared.

"Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord". Amen.

Out of Control

Do you know how much stuff there is to buy out there? Hunter in a bottle, GPS systems, socks with the Husker logos, books that help us define the spirit of Christmas (that includes books about Buddah and the Moslem guy. Yikes!) I definitely need to stay away from the malls, stores, shops, sales and bargains. I keep buying and buying and...well, who really needs all this stuff? I know, I know, this has been discussed hundreds of times and I'm just now joining in? I think those 3 wise men might themselves be a little nauseated at what their initial act has created. Still, I just can't seem to stop myself. What I'd really rather do is spend time with friends and family or trip on down to Broken Hearts ministry in Mexico and help out there. Even better would be to get the family to go along with us. I keep saying "maybe next year" and then by May I'm back to buying for Christmas already. How to break that habit? Hmmm.

Knowing your stuff

So I got to babysit "the boys" today. Pretty easy stuff compared to actual parenthood. All I had to do was play! And interpret 2 year old talk. And keep the baby out of the line of fire. And know where the lunch was. That's a breeze compared to 24/7 of parenthood. I didn't even worry if the 2 year old actually picked up his toys like his parents wanted. Or if he ate his pudding before his sandwich. (He didn't really!) I'm the grandma! Now, granted I'm not giving these boys a blank check... only lots of hugs, kisses and playtime. This is much simpler than raising them to be responsible God powered adults! Their parents are already doing that job. Well, too, I might add. This whole thing reminds me of camping with my nephew. He didn't like the meal I'd fixed. But, not to worry. I didn't make him sit at the table until it was gone like I might have with my own kids. I sent him off. My kids were apalled at the "unfairness" of it. But my reasoning was that in the week that he was with us I wasn't going to change his eating habits anyway. Besides. We only had a limited amount and kind of food. He'd eat when he was hungry. He'd eat what we had just like they were. That was fine with me! So. I'm off into this new grandma thing with great enthusiasm. And by the way let me just say that this child is extremely bright! (really!) At the age of two he can identify every single one of the tools in his tool box. Wrench. Hammer. Screwdriver. Pliers. Saw. Screws. Nail. And exactly what they're all used for. Wow! Don't you think that's impressive.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Well, our decorating is done. The house is ready for company. We are anticipating the Christmas holidays right along with our neighbors!
If we leave our curtains open the neigbors can at least enjoy the Christmas tree view. Good thing, because our outside lights, are pathetic. Hanging icicle lights with only half the lights lit. Red white and blue stars with the red lights burned out. cobbled together along the edge of the deck, they stay on (the ones that actually work) all night. In front we have lights that stay up all year. After hanging for a full year outside it's amazing that they actually work. After all, according to Ron, by the time he can take them down, it's about time for Christmas so he might as well leave them up.

But then take a look at the neighborhood. The blue house down the street has white icicle lights hanging from every corner. Next door graceful strings of white lights compliment the hanging garland on their porch. Luminaries line the sidewalk across the street. There are wreaths, lit evergreens, and outdoor displays up and down the street. If there was a competition we'd win for 'sorriest looking'. We'd hardly get credit for trying. Somewhere in our basement are the real strings of icicle lights that should be hanging from our eaves. However, the energy to get the lights up left years ago. At least we still have enthusiasm for the season. It's not the lights or even the beautiful tree; it's the hope and anticipation we have for welcoming a King!

Merry Christmas.

MORNING WALKS

My morning walk routine has been so scheduled that I can tell if I am 'early' or 'late' by the people I meet on my route. Driver in white blazer at stop sign on Florida and 5th by 5:50; Runner in shorts at 7th NW by 6 a.m. ; Two girls with dog by 6:15 at Dover and 3rd... I have to hustle along so I'm not late! Then of course there is the sunrise (or lack of)..I should be facing it for most of the walk if I am 'on schedule'. If not, I could miss the best part of the walk. Most mornings I am in the dark but in the early spring the sunrise greets me full on by 6 (until the time changes that is) During these long winter months I just endure the darkness hoping that the sun is faithful. I can check out the progress the stars make through the winter skies...Orion with his companion Sirius and Procyon sit in the southern sky. Taurus still struts high in the western sky, and the moon marks the days of the month one by one. My walks are spent with morning moons, or fogs, hazy, pink and yellow sunrises, birdsong or cold winter winds. None ever the same. Too cold? Too icy? Bundle up, or unfortunately use the treadmill. Those who lie abed these days have missed the best part of the day! And anyway I have to take off that cheesecake of course!

Eating Cheesecake

This time of year I don't have to wonder if what I'm eating will move over into my hips or my thighs. I can watch it happen as I happily consume the abundance of sweets like the raspberry/blueberry cheesecake that I ate tonight. That "moment on the lips/lifetime on the hips" thing is never so true as at the holiday eating season. From the cookies to the chocolate tortes I can hardly control the indulgence. Why didn't we have a season of the vegetables!