From Our House To Yours

Because I have nothing better to do with my time. I don't have any cleaning to do. No grocery shopping left to complete. No gifts to wrap. (Bud, I'm kidding.)

Because I'm so excited my parents are on their way here from Ohio.

Mostly just because it's so funny. After all, we are a rockin' family!

Enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Greater things are still to be done...

Blessings upon your Sabbath!

Confessions: Mamma's Boys

A new show premiers on NBC tonight. "Momma's Boys" is a new dating series that centers on three possessive yet loving mothers who must help their complacent sons choose the perfect woman - and ultimately poses the question: "Who is really the most important woman in every man's life?"

Over the course of six weeks, viewers will watch intense, emotional showdowns and rivalries, as well as raw, personal moments between mother and son. All of this will unfold as 32 single women - some classy and some brassy - vie for the attention of the three eligible bachelors and their mothers who live with them throughout the series. "Momma's Boys" will uncover the conflicts between a mother's wishes and a son's desires and reveal the truth about who plays a more crucial role in a young man's life - his mother or his significant other.

(So say the previews for this show.)

There are some reality shows that I like to watch. This won't be one of them. I question whether this show even qualifies as a reality show. And I further question the sincerity of the emotions and the depth of relationships fostered in the artificial environment created by the show's creator and producers.

However, I do believe I have two unique perspectives on the subject of this show. If you read my anniversary post, you'll know that Bud and I met on a blind date - set up by his mother. So, I can attest to the valuable insight a mother may have into whom might or might not be a good match for her son. Did Bud's mom set us up with the hopes that we'd be married barely more than a year later? No. She just knew both of us well enough to know that our personalities and interests would be a good match for a friendship. It just turned out to be the deepest kind of friendship.

She also did not go on our first date with us. She did not plan our dates. She did not spy on our dates. (That I know of!) She did not instigate showdowns. She did not view me as a rival, but rather as a friend and now daughter. She did not eliminate any other potential girlfriends. Not that eliminating the competition wouldn't have been appreciated had there been anyone else vying for Bud's attention! Just saying...

My other perspective comes from now being the mother of a son who is probably on the cusp of dating. I've already told Burrito that I hope he chooses a girl who does not have a mother. You know, so that she'll turn to me for advice in making little decisions like what colors to choose for the wedding, where to hold the reception, what to name my first grandbaby, and who to spend the holidays with every year. I kid. Mostly.

Seriously, we have already begun talking with Burrito about choosing his future spouse. Other than asking Christ to be his savior, it will be the most important decision he will make and his choice will affect all aspects of his life. We've emphasized that it's never too early to begin praying for this young woman. We've talked to him about the benefits of having Godly counsel in making decisions like choosing a spouse. Godly counsel. That would be me. (Oh, come on... I kid again. Mostly.)

I won't be watching this show. Let me know if you do and what you think of it.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 NLT)

Snowman Soup

The warmer winter weather was an adjustment for us when we moved to Texas from the Chicago area some years ago. It was difficult to feel the "mood" when wearing shorts while hanging the outdoor Christmas lights. We've acclimated now, though. So, last night when the wind started whipping and the temperature dropped more than thirty degrees in less than two hours we were reminded just how much we've adjusted to - and like - our climate here in central Texas. We almost didn't believe our eyes when a few flurries swirled around our yard and their remnants even remained on roof lines and vehicles this morning.

In honor of this blast of winter, I'd like to share with you a cute poem and recipe for Snowman Soup. This makes a great gift for teachers or even school friends when presented in a cute ceramic mug!

Snowman Soup

When it’s so cold that
You holler and whoop,
It’s time to bring out
The Snowman Soup.

Pour the packet in a mug.
Add the snowballs, too.
And throw in the kisses
From snowman to you.

Now fill with hot water
And use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you’ll
Feel the warm winter spirit.

Directions: Find a cute mug - one with a snowman on it or in a snowman shape would be perfect. Place a packet of your favorite instant cocoa mix in the mug along with mini-marshmallows (snowballs), a couple Hershey Kisses (snowman kisses), and a candy cane. Wrap in clear wrapping with a cute bow and attach a copy of the poem.

On this cold, blustery day... this recipe works for me! Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more Works-For-Me Wednesday ideas

Worship with me...

Do you really know The Story?

True or False?

There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story.

True. I'm sure he said something, but there is absolutely no record of him speaking at all.

The wise men were three kings from the orient.
False. The number of wise men is not mentioned. They were not kings. (Matthew 2:1)

The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds.
False. What little drummer boy? There is no mention of a drummer boy in the Bible.

The star did not appear above the manger.
True. It appeared above the house where Joseph's family was living (Matthew 2:9-11).

Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, people who committed incest, and two non-Israelites.
True. Rahab was a prostitute. David & Uriah's wife were adulterers. Tamar & Judah committed incest. Rahab was a Canaanite & Ruth was from Moab (Matthew 1:3, 5, 6).

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph.
Trick question. The first part of the statement is true. Mary was first and the angel was Gabriel. (Luke 1:26) But we don't know the name of the angel who appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). It might have been Harold. You know, "Hark the Harold Angel Sings.” (You do know I’m kidding here, right?) Therefore, since we can't affirm that Gabriel appeared to both Mary AND Joseph, the statement is false.

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus.
True. (See Luke 2:1-5.)

Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
False: A donkey does not appear any where in the Biblical account. She probably walked. (See references in above question.)

The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel.
Apparently not. The wise men saw the star in the east (Matthew 2:2). But it did not take them to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they asked for directions. Once leaving Jerusalem the star appeared again and led them to the house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9).

The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth.
True. The wise men arrive sometime after Jesus is born (Matthew 2:1). Jesus is called a child, rather than a baby (Matthew 2:11). He may have been as old as two (Matthew 2:7, 8, 14-16).

God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds.
False. Actually, God sent an army of warrior angels! See Luke 2:13. "Company" and "host" are military terms.

Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation.
False. In first century B.C., shepherding was considereed the lowest, most repulsive of jobs. Shepherds were unable to remain ritually pure according to Pharisaic laws and so were considered unclean by the Jews. Yet God chose them for His birth announcement!

Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus."
True. See Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31. In Judaism, babies were always named by their father. Here we see God the Father (not Joseph) giving Jesus his name. By the way, "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua," the successor of Moses. (Joshua means "Yahweh saves").

When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king.
False. All Jerusalem was disturbed by this news of a new king (Matthew 2:3).

The wise men found Jesus lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem.
False. The visit of the wise men occurred some months after Jesus’ birth. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were no longer in the stable but living in a house in Bethlehem, a village about 5 miles south of Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:11).

After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Correct. They were excited! They did not hesitate. They did not stop at Starbucks, they did not pass "Go" and stop to collect their $200! (See Luke 2:15-16.)

Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him.
Yes. His obedience was quick, cheerful and complete. (See Matthew 1:24.)

Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels.
False. They went to see the baby right away, they spread the word, and they praised God for what they had been permitted to see and hear. No doubt there. (See Luke 2:15-20.)

So, how'd you do???

How to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

(Author Unknown)

And the winner is...

I went to Random Generator and told it to pick a number for me. Out popped #11. So, I counted down through the comments to find winner #11.

It is Anonymous. Except, Anonymous isn't anonymous to me. Because of the comment, I know that it is really the Queen Mum... my mom! And, since I know for a fact that she already has this CD (because I gave it to her!), I've decided to send her a box of the very special Lamme's candy instead. (Don't worry, Queen Mum, I've got lots of other "prizes" waiting for you when you arrive next month!)

However, I still have the Martina McBride CD sitting on my desk. What should I do with it?

What's that? Have Random Generator select another winner? Really???

Okay!

This time, Random Generator selected #3... Nadine!

Congratulations, Nadine! Send me an email with your address and I'll get this CD off to you so you can begin getting into the holiday spirit with the beautiful music.

And for the rest of you... for your listening pleasure...

It has begun. (And a Give Away!)

Time's up! The winner will be announced later this evening.

I like to get the holidays started as early as possible. And I like to keep them going as long as possible - sometimes 'til the middle of January.

I start listening to the occasional Christmas song sometime around mid-October. It's my inspiration. My all time favorite holiday music is this CD:

And, once I hear the song "Christmas Canon" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, it's "game on" for me.

Immediately, I get the itch to start filling my freezers with holiday baking. After all, there's nothing worse than standing in the kitchen at midnight, waiting for that last batch of cookies to finish baking in preparation for a holiday event the next day. It's much easier to grab a package out of the freezer, arrange them neatly on a tray and go to bed!

I have to admit, I am a little behind on my baking this year. I still have about half of my planned baking to complete. (Don't even try to make me feel guilty about being behind... I'm good enough at punishing myself with guilt and pressure!)

Did I mention that my Christmas shopping happens year 'round? I like to buy the "perfect gift" as I find it. Usually at a much better price than what last minute shopping produces.

And then there's the decorating. It's starting today in our home. I'll wrap up the inside decorating tomorrow. Bud and I will be scaling ladders and climbing through bushes on Saturday morning to get all the outdoor lights in place. (Well, okay... only Bud will be scaling ladders. I like to keep my feet on the ground.) Don't worry, we don't turn on any lights until Thanksgiving evening.

We also hold off decorating the Christmas tree until the day after Thanksgiving. Not because I have anything against decorating it sooner. But, Bud's mom spends Thanksgiving with us and we like to include her in the festivities. She's the official Master Fluffer of the tree boughs. And she's good at it!

Once the tree is fully fluffed and festooned, we turn on all the lights. Inside and out.

In honor of the beginning of my holiday season, I'm giving away one copy of Martina McBride's "White Christmas" CD***. To win, leave a comment and tell me about your family's favorite Christmas tradition. One entry per person, please. Entries will be accepted through midnight Saturday. The winner will be announced Sunday evening.

(***Martina McBride is not sponsoring this contest. She is not a personal friend of mine. I wish. She doesn't even know I exist.)

The Best Drumline In Texas!!! (Again.)

We headed to the Dallas area yesterday for the outdoor drumline competition of the year. Our drumline was ready to defend their title as The Best Drumline in Texas.

First, let me tell you that yesterday was the coldest day of the fall season. In addition to record breaking lows, we also had 20+ mile per hour winds to contend with for our entire day in the great outdoors. It was tolerable during the day, but was almost miserable after the sun went down last night.

There were hours of practice once we arrived.

Lots of practice.

And more practice.

Lots of flying mallets.

Bass #5 is my personal favorite this year. (Just though I'd share.)

Soon, it was time to perform.

They won first place again this year - and retain the title of BEST DRUMLINE IN TEXAS!!!

Our cymbals also won their caption as did our snares. The basses tied for their caption.

Everyone was very, very happy. (And cold.)

We cheered loud and proud!

Last weekend was all about Kat. We had dance rehearsals and dance recitals. Cheer practices and cheer competitions.

There were uniforms.


And make-up.

Lots and lots of make-up.


Friends.


And teammates.


Stoic contemplation about the competition ahead.


And much celebration.


Celebration over a second place trophy at their very first competition!

This weekend, it's all about Burrito and the drumline as they defend their title of "Best Drumline in Texas."

The day after... let's not forget them!

It's easy to remember and honor our veterans and service men and women on Veteran's Day. But what about the next day? The next month?? Especially during the holidays...

The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. They are collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.

Their goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

Please send cards to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

There are very specific guidelines which must be followed when participating. Please go here to see these guidelines.

You can also:

• Download and print a free card.
• Get the latest news about Holiday Mail for Heroes.

Want to do more?

Phone cards, gift cards and care packages are all ways for individuals, families, and school, civic, social or church organizations to get involved in remembering our U.S. service members this holiday season.

Phone and gift cards help our troops stay in touch with family and loved ones as well as allowing them to purchase items they need. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to the Army and Airforce Exchange Service website, scroll down to "AAFES Community Connection" and click on "Help Our Troops Call Home" or "Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops" in order to send such items. (Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with the holiday cards.)

Those wishing to send care packages should go to the America Supports You website and click under "Homefront Groups" to find out how to send care packages.

There are deadline for participating in these wonderful programs - many much earlier than you'd expect. Don't allow procrastination to keep you from participating!

And that, my fellow Americans, works for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday ideas, please visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

(Please note: There is currently an email circulating which solicits Christmas cards for wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center. For the protection of our service men and women, the U.S. Postal system will not accept any letters or packages addressed to "Any Service Member" or "Any Wounded Service Member." The falsehood of these types of email requests can be verified at Snopes.)

Thank you!

On your mark... get set...

Go!

(Photo credit: By hylander44 on Flickr.)

Put on your running shoes and see if you can keep up with us. It's gonna be a busy weekend. From my planner:

• Dance recital dress rehearsal (Done)
• Football game (Over - our team made the playoffs! How many more weeks of football?)
• Cheer practice (Done)
• Neighborhood yardsale (Going on as I speak type.)
• Bud fishing
• Craft show (Not enough hours in the day so I'm skipping it. *Humph.*)
• Purchase new hair curlers for Kat (Necessary to create "cheerleader hair.")
• Dance recital
• Cheer competition (We do live in Texas, y'all!)

That last item? Guaranteed to produce blog fodder for next week's postings. Maybe I'll even have pictures!

Even so...

...GOD is in control!

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17 (Today's New International Version)

Today... please VOTE!

Did you?

THE issue.

If you listen to all of the news broadcasts, they will tell you that this election is the most important election of our lifetime. They will be glad to list the issues for us: taxes, war, unemployment, national security, social security... and the list goes on and on.

But, isn't life itself the most basic of all issues? When you get right down to it, isn't this THE issue?



If you haven't already, please vote tomorrow. Choose to vote for those who can't.

Disclaimer: My opinion. My blog.

Confessions: Remember the pigs?

I'll bet that's not a question you're asked very often! But you do remember the pigs, right? Actually, the correct name for them is feral hogs.

Whatever.

They're still here. And the problem is getting worse.

Our little patch of suburbia has been a featured story in all of our local papers. A few nights ago, we were the leading story on the evening news. That's just how we want our community spotlighted. Very classy.

We're thinking of having ham for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Not really. Feral hogs do not make good table meat.

Are you achin' for some bacon?



Oi!

We ROCK! (Or, several weeks in fast review.)

We ROCKED homecoming. And, we WON!

We ROCKED the part and were appropriately dressed.

Our homecoming court ROCKED the evening!

Isn't she gorgeous? "A" is our neighbor and she's beautiful on the inside, too. Last year when Burrito was a freshman and she was a junior, she made sure that Burrito's first days of high school went well. She walked and talked in the halls with him. She even invited him to sit with her and her girl friends at lunch. Umm... hello! A freshman guy walking, talking and lunching with gorgeous junior girls. Yep, that had to help Burrito's reputation! (We reminded Burrito to "pay it forward" when he started his sophomore year this fall.)

She deserved the crown - don't you agree?! Sadly, she wasn't crowned the queen. (We demand a recount!)

We ROCKED with the cheerleaders. (We love the cheerleaders, right Kat?)

We ROCKED in the stands.

Our drill team ROCKED the halftime show. (Go, "H"!)

Then we ROCKED with parties.

Kat's best friend "M" attended homecoming with us (an annual tradition) and then spent the night. "M" wasn't available to attend on the date we'd planned to have the birthday sleepover, so we had a "party-before-the-party" after the homecoming celebration. After all, a girl can't celebrate her 13th birthday without her best friend!

Bud headed for the coast the next morning and ROCKED on the water. (Not to be confused with walking on water!)

The next weekend, we ROCKED the "second" birthday sleepover with Kat's school friends.

We ROCKED several band competitions. (With another one this coming weekend.)

We ROCKED with success!

We're a ROCKIN' family!

Hi, I'm Dawn...

Hi, I'm Dawn... and I'm a bad blogger! (Everyone answers: "Hi, Dawn!")

We've had all kinds of parties and sumpthin' around here lately. The parties are fun. It's the sumpthin's that will kill you. And a stomach virus. And sore throats. And an upper respiratory infection. (Updated to add: These illnesses infected me - not the kids. Not Bud. Just me. All of them - just me!)

The worst of it? I completely lost my voice for two, whole days. Completely. Not even a squeak! That's pure torture for a lover of conversation like me.

But don't worry, I'm up to a husky whisper today. Tomorrow, I plan to be BACK. Back in the real world and back to blogging. You won't want to miss it - I have two weeks of catching up to do!

Happy 13th Birthday, Kat!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy birthday with all my love to my amazing, teenage daughter!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT)

It's like we're havin' a party, or sumpthin!

When Bud and I were first married, we lived near his sister in Virginia and we would borrow her preschool-age son as often as we could. We liked to pretend he was ours. He's all grown up now and graduating from college this year!

During one of his overnight visits with us, we loaded him up in our car at an hour well-past his bedtime, in his jammies, and took him for ice cream. He thought this late-night adventure was terribly exciting. He sat in the backseat of the car, grinning from ear to ear, and licking his ice cream cone with sprinkles on top. Between licks, he exclaimed, "It's like we're... we're... we're havin' a party, or sumpthin!" Just thinking about that memory makes me laugh out loud!

To this day, whenever we have some fun events happening, one of us is sure to say, "It's like we're havin' a party, or sumpthin!"

Starting tonight and continuing through the weekend we have homecoming celebrations, the football game, a sleepover, a band competition and a birthday. A very special birthday! (Details about that on Sunday.)

People, it's like we're havin' a party, or sumpthin!

Works For Me Wednesday: Crustless Pumpkin Pie

According to Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer, today's post for "Works For Me Wednesday" should be on the topic of kitchen organization. That's a topic right up my alley. Or, right up my kitchen, so to speak.

However, I've had several requests for my crustless pumpkin pie recipe that I've been wanting to post. The recipe is so simple, only dirties one bowl and is really yummy. So, follow my thinking here...

Crustless pie = not making crust = no kitchen mess from making pie crust = organized kitchen.

Therefore, this post totally fits the subject requirement, right? (That's a rheutorical question... you didn't need to answer.)

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
(Makes 6 servings)

1 (15 oz.) can solid-pack pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup milk
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites (Note: I've used 2 large eggs, total, and skipped the whites and it works fine.)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. (Or, I like to use six 1/2 cup ramekins for individual servings.)

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat all the ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture into the dish(es). Bake, uncovered, until the filling is set and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes for the 8-inch square baking dish, about 30 minutes for the individual ramekins. Cool completely on a rack. Refrigerate, covered, at least 3 hours before serving.

Serve topped with whipped cream.

Want more recipes that use pumpkin? Visit Steph for her Pumpkin Dip recipe. Then go see Prairie Chick for her homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe.

And that Works For Me this Wednesday!

My God is Mighty to Save!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Blessings upon your Sabbath!

Want to help?

Many of you have asked me for ideas of how you can help with relief efforts for people on the Texas coast. I'm assuming you mean monetary donations - not that you are wanting to load up the minivan and head for our coast with your tool belt and shovel in hand.

In times of trial, Texans are known to drop everything, roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to help their neighbors. In that spirit, Texas Governor Rick Perry established the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, A Non-Profit Corporation, to provide a rapid conduit between donors and communities in need.

Through the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, you can help, too! If you would like to make a donation by mail, please make your check payable to Texas Disaster Relief Fund and mail to:

Office of the Governor

Texas Disaster Relief Fund

P.O. Box 12878

Austin, TX 78711-2878

To donate online by credit card visit: https://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/tolapp/disasterfund/home.do

For more information, please call 1-866-292-5357.

The federal employer’s identification number (EIN) for the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, a Nonprofit Corporation is 20-3875068. The corporation is a 501(c)(3) corporation, managed by the Office of the Governor.

On behalf of all Texans - thank you!

Open Windows

We've been sleeping with our windows open at night - and loving it. I swear, there must be something in the cool night air that is deep-sleep inducing. Last night was no exception.

So, we overslept a few minutes this morning. Bud and I both were awakened at the same instant.

Snooze alarm? No.

Phone call? Nope.

One of our children? Not at that hour.

What then? Stench. Stink. Bad odor. Really bad odor.

From this little visitor.

A "stunk." (That's what both our kiddos called them when they were little.) Apparently, very nearby.

This isn't the one who visited us. I've had skunk spray on me once before and I certainly wasn't going to risk that fiasco again. I hit the internet in search of a good skunk picture and found many from which to choose.

I found pictures of skunk cabbage, too. I'm thinking it doesn't smell like roses.

I also received some additional illegal drug education. Am I the only one who didn't know that "skunk" also refers to marijuana? Sheesh. So, if your kiddo needs to do a report on skunks, you might want to assist with their internet research.

Between the wild pigs and skunks, our neighborhood is going to pot. Yep... pun intended!