Haven't been writing a lot since NaBloPoMo ended (YAY! I WON!!!) cause I wanted A) take a break and B) I've been fighting a sinus infection/virus/plague since the weekend.
This is a picture of me. With my sick eyes and slack jaw.
Whereas this is a picture of the cutest little cutie patootie evah!
Discuss amongst yourselves.
This is a picture of me. With my sick eyes and slack jaw.
Whereas this is a picture of the cutest little cutie patootie evah!
Discuss amongst yourselves.
This is the first in a series of lessons in spirituality and theology. It is primarily Christian based although I will try address issues from a neutral point of view.
The most important thing you can learn about yourself is this: You are a child of God.
So many times, as we talk to ourselves, we describe our imperfections, our weaknesses. But if we recognize that we come from perfection, we soon understand our importance. You are a child of God, created in his image. How can you be anything but perfect in your own way? Sure, you may have things you need to work on such as your weight or being a better steward, but at the core of your soul, you are perfect.
An evaluation of philosophy will find that "What am I?" is the ultimate question followed quickly by "What is my purpose?" It is the question posed by every scientist and philosopher from Aristotle to Einstein and it is the question we try to answer every single day of our lives.
Most of us are many things besides human. We give ourselves purpose in the labeling of our role in our relationships. For example, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a cousin, a friend, a co-worker, a customer and a neighbor. My behaviour in each of these relationships is different as well. I have a different relationship to my daughter than to my husband. My actions as a co-worker are different than my actions as a customer.
This week, as you think negative thoughts about yourself, replace each negative thought with "I am a child of God". I also suggest getting a notebook and writing and thinking on this statement. It is a powerful exercise and one that you will not soon forget.
The most important thing you can learn about yourself is this: You are a child of God.
So many times, as we talk to ourselves, we describe our imperfections, our weaknesses. But if we recognize that we come from perfection, we soon understand our importance. You are a child of God, created in his image. How can you be anything but perfect in your own way? Sure, you may have things you need to work on such as your weight or being a better steward, but at the core of your soul, you are perfect.
An evaluation of philosophy will find that "What am I?" is the ultimate question followed quickly by "What is my purpose?" It is the question posed by every scientist and philosopher from Aristotle to Einstein and it is the question we try to answer every single day of our lives.
Most of us are many things besides human. We give ourselves purpose in the labeling of our role in our relationships. For example, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a cousin, a friend, a co-worker, a customer and a neighbor. My behaviour in each of these relationships is different as well. I have a different relationship to my daughter than to my husband. My actions as a co-worker are different than my actions as a customer.
This week, as you think negative thoughts about yourself, replace each negative thought with "I am a child of God". I also suggest getting a notebook and writing and thinking on this statement. It is a powerful exercise and one that you will not soon forget.
As discussed Saturday, Moo and I took Phoebe to see Santa.
She did quite well, even if we couldn't get her to smile for nothing. But at least she's not screaming or hiding her face in my shoulder like the kid before us.
And how do you keep a baby's pant legs from riding up? I think I pulled them down about 57 times before this pic was taken and still, there are her legs sticking out like the long gangly things they are (The kid's seriously got my dad's long legs).
This Thanksgiving is unlike any other to me.
In 2000, I was thankful for my new husband.
In 2002, I was thankful that I had made peace with my dad shortly before he passed away.
In 2004, I was thankful that Moo had amazing parents. They stepped up a lot when my mom passed away and were so supportive of me.
In 2006, I was thankful that I had a job I didn't hate, a terrific husband, and
Last year, I was thankful that after 2 years of trying, I was finally pregnant.
This year, I have so much to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that the pregnancy was relatively easy and resulted in an easy delivery.
I'm thankful for my husband, who has turned into an amazing father and somehow gets better at being a husband every day. I'm thankful to him too that he's keeping us together financially so that I can stay home with our daughter.
I'm thankful that we are finally debt free except for our house. I'm thankful that Moo and I showed some financial savvy when we bought our house in 2003 and got a low fixed rate mortgage.
I'm thankful that I am healthy and I feel good.
I am REALLY especially thankful for my baby girl. She is amazing in every way and I am in awe of her everyday. It still blows my mind that we have a baby.
What are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving?
In 2000, I was thankful for my new husband.
In 2002, I was thankful that I had made peace with my dad shortly before he passed away.
In 2004, I was thankful that Moo had amazing parents. They stepped up a lot when my mom passed away and were so supportive of me.
In 2006, I was thankful that I had a job I didn't hate, a terrific husband, and
Last year, I was thankful that after 2 years of trying, I was finally pregnant.
This year, I have so much to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that the pregnancy was relatively easy and resulted in an easy delivery.
I'm thankful for my husband, who has turned into an amazing father and somehow gets better at being a husband every day. I'm thankful to him too that he's keeping us together financially so that I can stay home with our daughter.
I'm thankful that we are finally debt free except for our house. I'm thankful that Moo and I showed some financial savvy when we bought our house in 2003 and got a low fixed rate mortgage.
I'm thankful that I am healthy and I feel good.
I am REALLY especially thankful for my baby girl. She is amazing in every way and I am in awe of her everyday. It still blows my mind that we have a baby.
What are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving?
I don't bake a lot, but I love to.
This year, Moo and I will be spending Thanksgiving with Moo's family and I am taking pie.
Well, 3 different pies to be exact.
This delicious Sweet Potato pie.
This fabulous Coconut pie.
And this amazing Chocolate pie.
I'm sharing the Sweet Potato pie recipe with you. The coconut and chocolate pie recipes are family secrets and if I tell you, I have to kill you.
Oh My Sweet Potato Pie
Makes 2 pies.
This year, Moo and I will be spending Thanksgiving with Moo's family and I am taking pie.
Well, 3 different pies to be exact.
This delicious Sweet Potato pie.
This fabulous Coconut pie.
And this amazing Chocolate pie.
I'm sharing the Sweet Potato pie recipe with you. The coconut and chocolate pie recipes are family secrets and if I tell you, I have to kill you.
Oh My Sweet Potato Pie
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces butter, softened
- 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 small can (5 ounces, about 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 prepared pie shells, unbaked
Preparation:
Mix butter, potatoes, sugar and evaporated milk until well blended. Add vanilla, eggs, and cinnamon; mix well. Pour into the prepared pie shells. Bake in a 350° oven for about 1 hour, until set.Makes 2 pies.
I've been scrapbooking for a number of years now.I've got to get things together and scan a few of my layouts so you can see how marvelous they are.
Anyway, I've been playing with digital scrapbooking over the last few days and since I'm working on my Photoshop skills, I decided to wander over to Jessica Sprague's website to see what she has to say about the subject.
Turns out she's got a terrific little class to get you started and her classes are on SALE right now!!!
Here's my first attempt at digital scrapbooking...
Wanna make an awesome turkey this Thanksgiving?
Here's my no nonsense, super easy method of cooking turkeys:
What you'll need:
- Roasting pan - either a real one or a disposable one
- Paper towels
- butter or margarine - stick butter is best
- aluminum foil
- salt
- pepper
Now for the steps:
- Get one turkey.
- Thaw out said turkey. In the fridge for a couple of days is the safest way, but there are quick thawing methods in the event that you forget.
- Wash out your sink really well. Lots of hot water, a little soap and then a really good rinse. You'll be using your sink to prepare the turkey.
- Prepare your roasting pan. I have an actual roasting pan now, but in years past I've used one of those aluminum throwaway things. If you're using a real pan, line the bottom with aluminum foil to make clean up easy then place next to sink. If you're using a disposable, just put next to sink.
- You'll want a strip of aluminum foil to "tent" the bird. Pull off a piece that is a little longer than the length of the pan. Set aside but close to the pan.
- Unwrap the bird, put into the clean kitchen sink, and pull all the giblets and other goodies out of the body cavity. You can throw them away or save for giblet gravy or making stock later.
- Give the bird a good washing with cool water. Wash the inside and out.
- Using one or more paper towels, dry off the bird. Skipping this step won't be a deal breaker but will make the next steps more difficult.
- Using an ample amount of butter or margarine, use your hands to really grease up the bird. I also butter the inside of the bird and leave little dollops of butter inside. To prevent cross contamination, I use stick butter for this step and throw away the rest of the stick when I am done. Really grease that bird up. You should see the bird turn yellow you put so much on. If you've done it right, Paula Deen will approve*.
- Salt and pepper the inside and outside of the bird. I've known folks watching their sodium to use Mrs Dash but I think that's a sacrilege.
- Place bird, breast side up, in the roasting pan.
- Wash those nasty birdy hands!!
- Then, take the piece of foil you've set aside and create a tent for the bird. Fold it in half and lay over the bird. DON'T press down. It should rest lightly over the bird.
- Cook the bird overnight in a 275 degree oven. Yes, 275. Yes this is too low for safe cooking. Trust me. There's more. I usually start my turkey before I go to bed.
- In the morning, the house will smell WONDERFUL. BEWARE. You've cooked this bird with the low and slow method so we need to deal with any bacteria. DO NOT DECIDE TO EAT BIRD WITHOUT COMPLETING THE NEXT STEP or you'll spend the next couple of days regretting it!**
- Remove the tent. This will allow the bird to brown.
- Crank up the heat to 375 for 1-1/2 hours.
- Remove turkey from oven. Let rest for about 20 minutes and then lift out of juices and serve. The turkey will be perfectly done and delicious.
** Salmonella poisoning is no fun.
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