Thankful... Days 7 and 8

Yesterday and today I am thankful for RAIN.  While it hasn't been enough to even begin to remedy the severe drought we're experiencing here in Central Texas, just the cloudy, dark days and the occasional rain drops splashing against my windows was enough to refresh these parched Texans and renew our hope for more.

More... please, Lord!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful - Days Four and Five

Well.

Three days into a 30-day commitment and I've already failed. So, to make up for it, I'll tell two things I'm thankful for.

First, I'm thankful for quiet days at home.  Yesterday was one of those days. Now, by quiet I don't mean that I sat around and listened to the hum of the appliances. It was still a busy day.  But, it was a busy day in the quiet solitude of my home. After a hectic few days away from the house, I'm always reminded that this social gal still craves the solitude of my own home to relax and recharge. 

Second, I am thankful for our community's school district.  Each year, Bud and I prayerfully reconsider schooling options for our children.  So far, we believe that we are in God's will in sending Kat to our local public school.  Is it perfect? Not by any means - no school is.  But it's a great district filled with administrators, faculty and parents who care about education and work hard to provide the best possible for our students.  Beyond the classroom, we are blessed to be in a district that is able to provide exceptional opportunities for the students to participate in sports and the arts.  I was especially reminded of my thankfulness as I watched Kat dance in our district-wide dance recital today.

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Three

Today, I am thankful for my friends.  God has blessed my life with Christ-like women of faith who encourage and build me up in my walk.

I am thankful for forever friends. The ones who have history with me. They knew me then. They know me now. And still they love me.

I am thankful for praying friends. The ones who will diligently pray until I say stop. Ones who will pray even when I don't know to ask them to do so.

I am thankful for faithful friends. The ones who show up during the hard times and ask to help.  And the ones who do without even asking.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6, NLT)

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.  (Proverbs 27:9, NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  (Proverbs 27:17, NLT)



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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Two

I went to Sam's Club this morning.  It was one of those "big" trips as it seemed like we were out of everything from necessities to the extras.  Since I had no other commitments this morning, it was an enjoyable trip and I took my time wandering up and down every single aisle as I filled my cart with all the items on my list. (And then some.)

The cart was so full that it was difficult to steer as I approached the check out lanes.  Even more so as I pushed it uphill toward my vehicle at the back of the parking lot. (Can someone please tell me why parking lots are always uphill when you're pushing a heavy cart?)  Loading the items into my vehicle and then into the kitchen at home took an extra long time due to the "haul" and the fact that I had forgotten to take my bags with me. Finally, all was in the house and I closed up the garage and headed back into the kitchen. 

It was at that moment that it hit me.

The almost overwhelming amount of food and... well, stuff.

I don't say that to brag.  It was a humbling moment that turned into gratitude and thankfulness. 

Thankfulness that I live in a country where the bounty is plentiful. Thankfulness that in a tough economy Bud has a job and salary that allows me to purchase all our needs. (And then some.) Thankfulness that I am able to bring them home to a lovely home. Thankfulness that I am able to prepare tasty, healthy meals for Bud, Burrito and Kat.

Indeed, I am blessed... and thankful!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

11-1-11... Thankful... Day One

11-1-11.

Seems like the date would dictate a profound blog post, doesn't it? Too bad I'm fresh out of profound right now!  Maybe by the time 11-11-11 rolls around I'll think of something.

There is something about the date, however, that immediately makes me think forward to Thanksgiving. And the planning. And the list making. (And, oh! my! goodness! Christmas is not far behind.)

It's easy to lose sight of what the day is about. Not to mention that we are called to be thankful every day... not just the one day set aside on our calendar.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.  (Colossians 3:15, NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

So, I am committing to posting daily for the month of November. Just one thing a day for which I am thankful.

Here goes...

Day one...

I am thankful for Kat.

I am thankful that she loves Jesus and others. I am thankful that she can make me laugh like no other especially with her spot on imitations of others. I am thankful that she rarely gives in to peer pressure despite the loneliness of being different. I am thankful that she sings in the shower - and has ever since she was old enough to shower without assistance.  I am thankful for the little glimpses I get of the woman she is becoming. I am thankful that she will still let me comfort her.

I am very thankful that she passed her driving test with a 100% score and can drive herself to school now. Or to the store when I need something.



The new driver.

I hate school.

(Update:  After taking a beating from some of my teacher friends, please allow me state for the record that I do NOT really hate school.  I actually always loved school and did quite well.  Please... read to the end of the post... you'll get it, I hope!)

Actually… I hate the start of a new school year.

Oh, sure… there’s some exciting elements about it. 

I love buying new school supplies and always find a few that I need want, too.  (New Sharpies, Bic Crystal pens, a planner, and Post-It Notes… anyone else with me here?)  Buying a few new outfits is always fun… and then the repeated fashion shows in attempt to determine which will be the winning outfit to be worn on the first day.

And then there’s the anticipation of new opportunities. New classes with new teachers. New friends and memories just waiting to be made.

A return to routine is kind of nice.  (Any other calendar-keeping, list-making, control freaks agree on this one?)

And yet… I hate the start of a new school year.

I’ve never been one of those mamas who start counting down days ‘til the first day of school on the first day of summer.

(What is wrong with them???) 

I don’t want my children to go back to school.

Of course, I realize that I truly don’t hate the start of a new school year.  I just don’t like giving up the one-on-one time with my children. The unhurried minutes of hanging out at home, the pool, the beach or between the many summer activities.  Activities spent with them.

What do I really hate?

That the first day of the new school year marks the passing of time.  The day symbolizes the marching of time that I can’t stop despite all the control I like to think I wield.  It reminds me of our ever evolving relationship and emphasizes how fast my kids are growing into adults… and the fact that there’s nothing I can do to stop time. Nor would I really, truly want to.

Kat started her sophomore year of high school yesterday.

 And this one?

Today is Burrito’s first day of classes at THE BIG UNIVERSITY.  (Hook ’em!!!)

Signed,

A Slightly Melancholy Mama

(P.S. – A big “thank you” to the group of mamas who met yesterday morning after the school drop-offs for The 7^th Annual Moms’ Back-to-School Breakfast. There’s nothing like copious amounts of coffee, deep discussions, side-splitting laughter and a little retail therapy with “the girls” to lighten a mama’s heart. Each one of you is a very special woman!)

Signs of the Season...

There's this:

Oh, yes! *Starbucks* Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back! I received an email from them yesterday announcing the return of the pumpkin latte as well as their new Toffee Mocha Latte.  Naturally, I had to stop on my way home this morning to try one. Just to make sure they were as good as I remember.  I think they are but I might have to try another one or twenty just to make sure.

It's definitely the season for this:

The first day of school - one senior and one freshman! Don't worry - that's not a gang symbol they are flashing.  The name of their high school starts with the letter "R" - so the school spirit symbol is a combination of the American Sign Language symbols for "I love you" and the letter "R." 

Then there's the sounds of the season:

Drums beating... my center tenor playing his way through the fall of his senior year.

Wondering why Burrito has a buzz cut?

That's because the back of his head has his drumline logo shaved into it.  All the tenors decided to do this as a team bonding experience.  One mom was not as thrilled about it as I was.  (Did I mention it was my idea? Definitely earned me "cool mom" points.)  Hey, if that's the worst thing he does during his senior year, we're in good shape!

There's cheerleaders cheering.

Did I mention she was selected as captain of the Freshman squad? Oh, yes, she is! 

Now, if we could just convince this Texas weather that it's truly time for Autumn.

Fall to Keep and Give

Thankfully, central Texas has finally experienced a reprieve from the 100+ degree days that we thought would never end. With this drop in temperatures comes a longing for the fall days I enjoyed when we lived in the Midwest. I've pulled out my fall decor, started burning my spicy scented candles, and have begun cooking my favorite cool weather recipes.

One of my favorite recipes is pumpkin bread. I found this recipe years ago and love it because it's not only delicious, but the recipe makes three loaves of bread - one to keep and two to give away to neighbors and friends.

I keep a supply of new, cotton tea towels on hand that I use to wrap up the still-warm bread for delivery. (Ikea sells these towels for less than fifty cents a piece! If you don't have an Ikea near you, you can also pick them up at the dollar store.) Or, if the bread can't be delivered warm from the oven, I wrap it in plastic wrap and then tie it with raffia or a pretty fall colored ribbon.

Pumpkin Bread

2 2/3 cups sugar

2/3 cup butter flavored shortening

1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

3 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 teasp. baking soda

1 1/2 teasp. salt

1 1/2 teasp. ground cinnamon

1/2 teasp. ground nutmeg

2 teasp. vanilla

1/2 teasp. baking powder
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I prefer pecans)

1 cup raisins

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms only of 3 loaf pans, 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 X 2 1/2 inches.

Mix sugar and shortening in mixing bowl. Stir in pumpkin, water, eggs and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour evenly into three pans. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 60-70 minutes; cool in pan 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes:

• Nuts and raisins are optional.
• Other "extras," such as chocolate chips or dried cranberries, may be added.
• Extra rich touch: Pour half the batter into the three pans. Drop small chunks of cream cheese on top of the batter in the pans. Add remaining batter to the three pans and bake as directed.
• I have a heavy-duty stand mixer that I use to prepare this recipe. I doubt that a hand mixer could handle the volume and consistency of this batter.

This recipe works for me! For more Works For Me Wednesday ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

The week in random review...

Finally! The temperature has dropped below 100 here in Central Texas. Don't get me wrong - I love summer and rarely mind the Texas heat. But give me a break - we had more than 30 consecutive days over 100 degrees this summer. And, this summer goes down in the record books as the third hottest summer in this part of Texas. Ever.

Our temperatures have even dipped into the 50's at night. Do you know what that means? Open windows! Yippee!!! It has been so nice to let the fresh air into our home. You can't imagine how much I've enjoyed sleeping with the windows open at night.

I've been able to remove my fluffy robe from its decorative display hook and actually wear it this week, thanks to the very cool mornings. This is Texas, ya'll - wearing a fluffy robe for more than three minutes of modesty is a luxury... and a contributing factor to heat strokes on most days.

I saw the first jugs of cider for sale this past weekend and bought some in anticipation of the cooler weather. Nothing says fall like hot cider. I've even planned my meals around the cooler weather: soups, casseroles, chowder. Mmm-mmm good!

On Wednesday, I assisted the photography company with the band students' individual pictures. Here's the gist of my conversation with many of the band students: 

Me: Do you have your order form?
Student: (Blank stare.)
Me: The order form that your parents used to select your photo package and the money to pay for it?
Student: Oh, that! It's in my ______. (Insert: locker, backpack, purse, notebook. Somewhere not on their person.)
Me: Can you go get it?
Student: Do I have to?
Me: Umm... yes, if you want to have your picture made.
Student: Okay, I'll cancel my appointment.
Me: I don't think your parents will be happy about that. Please go get it.
Student: (Mumbling as they turn and walk away.)
Me: (To student who has returned with their order form.) Okay, slip on this uniform jacket, grab your instrument and sit on the stool.
Student: I need my instrument for the picture??

It was a very, very fun long day.

I bought some fall mums yesterday. This Saturday, I'll climb into the attic and retrieve all my fall decorations from their storage tub.

I participated in week three of our women's Bible study at church yesterday morning. We're doing Beth Moore's "Breaking Free." I think this is the only one of her studies that I haven't done. I believe it might be the hardest, most probing, most convicting, most spirit-changing one yet ... and my favorite!

Kat had a girlfriend over last night and the three of us baked and decorated four dozen cupcakes for them to take to school today. Bake sale? Nope. Birthday? Not yet. What? Drama Club officer elections. "M," Kat's friend, is running for Pres and Kat is on her ticket as her Veep. (Hey, I know the lingo!) Yep, that's right... buying votes.

We're watching Burrito perform with the high school marching band tonight. For those of you non-band parents, that means we're going to the football game tonight.

Update: Kat was elected VP of the Drama Club!  Sadly, her friend "M" did not win the President position.  (Voting was for the individuals, not by ticket.) The band performed wonderfully.  The football team... not so much. And, it is with great sadness that I inform you of the demise of the fall cool down.  We're headed back to the 90's this coming week.  My defiant streak says we're still getting the fall decorations out today!