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.