Christmas Shopping Dilemma

I took my girls to my favorite store yesterday, The Christmas Tree Shop.  I intended to just browse and see if I could find some kind of shoe organizer/shelf thing for our back entry.  I was unsuccessful in finding the shoe organizer, but I did manage to buy curtains for my bedroom, a decorative item for my living room, new hangers for Julie's closet, and a few other small things.  All total I only spent about thirty dollars.  I love that store!  Don't you just love a bargain???  Ha!  Get it?  Never mind....

While wandering the store Julie asked me why all the Christmas stuff was on display already when we haven't even gotten through Halloween?  I told her that a lot of people like to start early with their shopping.  To which she replied, "why?"  Apparently she hasn't seen the example in me of an early shopper/planner for all things Holiday related.  I begin mentally preparing my gift ideas in September, but I admit that nothing really gets accomplished until I get through Thanksgiving.

I LOVE the "idea" of being ready in advance, enjoying the Christmas season without the stress of shopping, and baking at my leisure.  But, with all my good intentions, it never ends up this way.  I think, I mentally plan, I discuss ideas with Dave, and then I get around to marathon shopping sometime in December.  Why am I like this???

Here's a few of my theories:

1. My mom was the same way
2. For all of my ability to organize, I am really disorganized
3. I can only focus on one Holiday at a time

I think the last one is the most accurate, and probably the first and second one, too.  I have always been a one-thing-at-a-time person.  Like Julie, I question the need for stores to set out Holiday items that are still two or three Holiday's away.  It makes me nervous.  It adds pressure.  I can't compete with Li'l Miss I Shop For Next Year As Soon As This Christmas Is Over.  Seriously?  Stop it!  You make me look horrible.  I don't like looking horrible...unless I have the flu, in which case I can't help it, and I don't care.  

I will continue to mentally plan my Christmas ideas, and I will look forward to Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, in that order.  However, I just discovered that November 3rd is Sandwich Day, November 15th is Clean Your Refrigerator Day, November 17th is World Peace Day, November 22nd is Go For A Ride Day, and November 29th is Square Dance Day.  So technically, I have seven more Holidays before I really have to think about Christmas....no sweat.

Next year I'll do better....I promise.  :)

Love Them!

I just had to post this recent picture of my three blessings.  They are a gift.  They make me smile.  They make me scream.  I love them so much!  Thank you God for entrusting them to Dave & my care!  

That's all...I have nothing else to say.  Just wanted to share.  Have a great day!  

Potato Soup

This is my first time sharing a recipe on my new blog.  Since it is fall, and since I love soup, I figured this was a good place to start...that, and the fact that I made this for supper tonight, and the inspiration was right in front of me.  Literally!  

This recipe for Potato Soup came from my Grandma (my mom's mom), and it is a favorite in our household. It's pure comfort, and deliciousness!  I wasn't thinking about blogging the recipe while preparing the soup, so forgive the fact that I don't have any pictures of the actual prep process.

So, without further adieu, here's the recipe.  

Potato Soup

3 Cups Chopped (peeled) Potatoes (I like Russet or Idaho for this recipe)

1 C. Water

1/2 C. Celery Slices

1/2 C. Carrot Slices

1/4 C. Chopped Onion

1 t. Parsley Flakes

1 Chicken Bouillon Cube

1/2 t. Salt

Dash of Pepper

1 1/2 C. Milk

2 T. Flour

Few Chunks or Slices of Cheese  (I like shredded cheddar, but Velveeta would be great, too)

Cook Vegetabls & Seasonings until done (About 12 to 15 minutes).  Gradually add milk to flour.  Add milk mixture to vegetables.  Cook until thickened.  Add cheese.  Stir until melted.  

This recipe yields about 5 servings.  I often double it, since we love the leftovers!

The Words of My Mouth

I receive daily devotional e-mails from Proverbs 31 Ministries, which I enjoy reading.  Today's devotional spoke to me in a different way than what the writer probably intended....actually it was the verse she used that struck me the most this day.  The Devotional Gossip used the verse "May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

That hit me like a ton of bricks today.  Why?  Because we had a rough start to our day today, and when we have a rough start I really struggle with my frustration toward my kids.  My words are not always pleasing, and I was feeling very bad about it as I dropped them off at school this morning.  I had 5 kids to get out the door (I babysit my niece and nephew, and some mornings I have them by 7:30).  Breakfast went fairly smooth, but then it was little things like spilled milk, boys banging on the piano, a tattler, a child upset and yelling at said boys banging on the piano, all the while I was trying to get a quick shower, dressed and dry my hair.  Then getting them all out the door with shoes on, back packs, coats, and into carseats, seatbelts, etc. while a couple kids, were screaming at other kids, who were causing problems in the van.  I demanded total silence for the ride to school!  Meanwhile, I was feeling poorly about my response to the child who yelled this morning at the naughty piano players...just because they yelled, didn't require me to yell back.  I was frustrated, my husband leaves early on Tuesday mornings, and while this normally doesn't cause so much disarray, today it did, and today I didn't handle it as well as I could have.

I need to work on my words...The subject of Gossip is a good one, and it is also a topic that speaks to me, but today, the verse in Psalm 19 spoke the loudest to me.  It was the reminder I needed, and it's a verse I plan to work on with my kiddos, too.

Article Makes Me Mad - Story at 11

In the October issue of Redbook Magazine there is a Q&A section titled, "Girlfriend Therapy."  The "Answer Lady" is Soleil Moon Frye, better known as Punky Brewster from the sitcom during the mid to late 80's.  I have read this column on a few occasions and have never thought too much about it.  But today, I read the Q&A, titled "But He Said He Wanted Children", and felt nothing but disgust.

A woman, married to her husband for two years, questions whether she should leave him since she's ready to have children, and now he's making excuses, and not sure he wants any.  She says this is a deal-breaker for her.  The first part of Soleil's advice wasn't too bad, but the last sentence made me so frustrated and sad. She writes, "Give him a chance before giving up, and if he still can't help you build the family you want, then you may have to make the hard decision to move on."  Are you kidding me????

Is marriage of so little meaning that a disagreement on having kids is enough to end that marriage?  I realize the desire for children is unlike any desire a person can experience, but you can not fix a marriage by having children, and neither should you end a marriage over disagreeing on whether to have them.  At the very least, advise them to seek professional counselling.  Perhaps she's putting too much pressure on him, or he's just stressed over finances and these things need worked through.  But the advice that if he can't help YOU build the family YOU want, then move on...  Here's the thing, when you get married you take vows - richer, poorer, sickness, health, good times and bad, and it's no longer just about YOU.  If we "move on" in life every time we don't get what we want at that moment, life get's pretty lonely.  Marriage is give and take, and there will be many occasions when you need to set your wants aside for the sake of your spouse.

I've got news for you, kids can put more strain on a marriage than most anything.  From lack of sleep causing you to go after each other and fight, to the financial strain, to differences in parenting styles.  If the decision to have kids can break up a marriage, you are not in any way ready to have those kids.  It gets a whole lot harder once those precious little bundles arrive.

You may argue, "what do you expect from a superficial magazine?"  You would be right in many ways, but I felt like it was an open door for a discussion on the topic.  We need to stop advising married couples to try a few things, then if it doesn't work, move on.  From a Christian perspective, if we are giving God the highest place in our marriage, then you can work through these things with His guidance.  Psalm 31:10 & 11 "A wife of noble character, who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her, and lacks nothing of value."  If your spouse has full confidence in you, don't you think he then cares about your wants and desires?

Feel free to read the article and let me know what you thought, as well.   Perhaps you didn't see it the same way I did.

Cookie Decorating - Yes Please!

If you know me, and I'm sure you do, you know I LOVE to bake!  For me, it's comfort.  For others, it's comfort and weight gain.  I love to bake for my family.  I love to bake and give it away.  It's just me!  From the first time I could make chocolate chip cookies on my own, my mom allowed me to bake whenever I wanted.  So I did.  There's the obvious problem, weight gain, too much sugar, white flour, unnecessary calories, blah, blah, blah...  But, the joy of watching someone taste something delicious, and oooh and ahhh while eating it, and know that I made it, it's a great feeling.

My sister-in-law has jokingly said that I solve problems for others with cookies...."oh, you're sad, here's some cookies."  I might think that I solve my own problems with cookies....but, we won't dwell on that too long.  One particular relative of mine tells me I should stop baking - why would I?  Would you tell a scrap-booker to stop scrapbooking?  A seamstress to stop sewing?  A hunter to stop hunting?  No!  This is my hobby, and I can use it to make others happy.

Well...getting to the point.  Yes, I have a point.  I enjoy dabbling with cookie decorating on occasion.  Today I came across this cookbook that was just released, and I've decided I would really like to have it.  I may need to add it to my Christmas Wish List, or perhaps I'll win it from the site I entered to win it on.  Here's hoping...

Here's a couple samples of my more recent cookie decorating creations...They're simple.
I'd love to learn more tips and tricks.  

Psalm 145 Challenge

This week we were challenged in our small group Bible study to read this Psalm every day for the week, and see how it influences our week.  I am challenging you to do the same.  At the end of the week ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you find yourself praising God more this week?
2. Was your outlook on life affected?
3. Did you proclaim His mighty works to others more than other weeks?
4. Did you notice anything else?

Today as I read through, verses 8 & 9 stood out to me the most - words like gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, rich in love.  So thankful to serve a God who is described in these ways.  

Psalm 145^[a]

A psalm of praise. Of David.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.^[c]
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.