To those faithful few who read my blog, you might wonder, where have I been this past month? I've had a few computer glitches, cured several times via advice over the phone or in person by my computer smart sons, or by my daughter who figured out which buttons to mash. My beloved puter seems to be working smoothly now, so I'm back.
This bump into the daily routine of life got me thinking about other life bumps. Those random things that seemingly just happen to us. They push us off the course to which we'd planned.
Take my recent days without home computer access. Instead of being on Facebook, or reading Stone Soup (my favorite comic), instead I read several books, did some organizing, talked to friends on the phone, and did some mending. That might not sound as much fun as gabbing on Facebook, but it gave me more time to talk to my parents, and made a difference in my house. Not to mention the extra reading time!
Then there was my recent experience at the main hospital. I am legendary for my ability to get lost. I was headed down from the 9th floor and looking for the South elevators, and got a wee bit turned around. Well, I stopped by this one window, and saw the city from that lofty view. For an industrial city, there was so much green! I never realized that there were so many trees around here. It was so beautiful.
Then there was last Thursday. I drove off to work, in the morning sunlight, thinking about how the day would be a pretty good one. I figured on a good day at work, then had plans afterwards. Instead of this course of events, I got a call mid-morning that changed my entire day. Instead of my plans, I spent the rest of the day in the ER with my daughter, then the subsequent 2 days back and forth between home and her hospital room. (She is fine..had appendix removed.) The good part of all this, beside her renewed health, is that I had several good conversations with her, mother/daughter time. Also, I was warmed by my sons' response. I got texts from one son asking about his sister's condition, and the other showed up suddenly at her bedside. Several good friends visited, and one of our pastors showed up in pre-op in time to pray over her beforehand.
Between the visits, the texts, and the phone calls, I was reminded about how interconnected we are. The outpouring of concern and love for my family was warming,and something I'll hold onto.
So, sometimes the bumps in life can bring good things....or at least interesting interludes.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cheater Cookies
Need something for a company potluck at the last possible minute? Are your teenagers' friends hunting through the cupboard for snacks? Do you just not feel like taking the time to measure out a bunch of ingredients? Then this is the recipe for you... the very first cookie recipe I learned to make as a kid....
The proper name would be Cake Mix Cookies, but it's always felt like cheating to make them, so I call them cheater cookies.
Ingredients:
one cake mix
Heat oven to 350. Mix cake mix, oil and eggs until blended. Stir in choc chips (if using). Drop by small scoop (or walnut size) onto ungreased or parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Let sit on pan for about 4 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool.
This is great when using a yellow or chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips. Today I simply used a 'rainbow chip' cake mix. Simple, and they disappear fast.
The proper name would be Cake Mix Cookies, but it's always felt like cheating to make them, so I call them cheater cookies.
one cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
optional: chocolate chipsHeat oven to 350. Mix cake mix, oil and eggs until blended. Stir in choc chips (if using). Drop by small scoop (or walnut size) onto ungreased or parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Let sit on pan for about 4 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool.
This is great when using a yellow or chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips. Today I simply used a 'rainbow chip' cake mix. Simple, and they disappear fast.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Church Potlucks
Church potlucks have always had a special place in my heart, or should I say, stomach. I never truly appreciated them until I was in college. Then, anything homemade was wonderful, and a church potluck was nirvana.
Potlucks feature several tables filled with steaming pans and crockpots of food, and pretty bowls of a variety of salads, including my favorite...jello fluff. You stand at the beginning of the line, pick up your paper napkin, wrap it around your plastic silverware and stuff them in your pocket. Then you pick up your stryofoam plate, and begin your perusal.
Some things are obvious, like fried chicken, or meatloaf...but most are casseroles. You kind of poke at them, trying to figure out their contents. Then if it looks good, you have to make a decision. Do I take a chance and take a full scoop, or just a dab. But if I take a dab, and like it, and come back, it'll probably be gone. Hmm....
Going through a church potluck as a vegetarian provides even more challenges, as in, is there meat in this dish? I took a big scoop of what looked like veggie lasagna today, but ended up picking out chicken from it. (still tasty, once the chicken was gone). Normally, I can be sure of getting some protein via the inevitable baked beans, but today, there was none. *sigh*
Then you sit at your table, trying to separate individual dishes from the mishmash of stuff on your plate. Some things are interpretable, but sometimes taste good together anyways. Then there are the desserts. If I haven't satisfied my sweet tooth with jello fluff, then I hit the desserts. Today there was this awesome...thing. I don't know what it was...but there was a jello/pudding stuff in between cookies that had chess pieces on it. It was fabulous...but no idea what it was or who made it.
The best part is actually not the food. The best part of a church potluck is sitting with friends at long tables, munching on unidentifiable food, and talking and joking. Today I ended up sitting across from several kids, but still had pretty interesting conversations...and they got me laughing.
So, despite the lack of baked beans (and jello fluff...sigh), it was a great potluck today. And I left with an empty pan...(meatloaf went over well...even if my sons wrote 'eww' 'yuck' on the recipe years ago).
Potlucks feature several tables filled with steaming pans and crockpots of food, and pretty bowls of a variety of salads, including my favorite...jello fluff. You stand at the beginning of the line, pick up your paper napkin, wrap it around your plastic silverware and stuff them in your pocket. Then you pick up your stryofoam plate, and begin your perusal.
Some things are obvious, like fried chicken, or meatloaf...but most are casseroles. You kind of poke at them, trying to figure out their contents. Then if it looks good, you have to make a decision. Do I take a chance and take a full scoop, or just a dab. But if I take a dab, and like it, and come back, it'll probably be gone. Hmm....
Going through a church potluck as a vegetarian provides even more challenges, as in, is there meat in this dish? I took a big scoop of what looked like veggie lasagna today, but ended up picking out chicken from it. (still tasty, once the chicken was gone). Normally, I can be sure of getting some protein via the inevitable baked beans, but today, there was none. *sigh*
Then you sit at your table, trying to separate individual dishes from the mishmash of stuff on your plate. Some things are interpretable, but sometimes taste good together anyways. Then there are the desserts. If I haven't satisfied my sweet tooth with jello fluff, then I hit the desserts. Today there was this awesome...thing. I don't know what it was...but there was a jello/pudding stuff in between cookies that had chess pieces on it. It was fabulous...but no idea what it was or who made it.
The best part is actually not the food. The best part of a church potluck is sitting with friends at long tables, munching on unidentifiable food, and talking and joking. Today I ended up sitting across from several kids, but still had pretty interesting conversations...and they got me laughing.
So, despite the lack of baked beans (and jello fluff...sigh), it was a great potluck today. And I left with an empty pan...(meatloaf went over well...even if my sons wrote 'eww' 'yuck' on the recipe years ago).
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Music
Music permeates my life. It touches each and every part. From the moment my radio alarm goes off, shocking me awake to a tune, to the music that sustains me through the work day due to an MP3 player I don't even understand, to the theme song on my favorite TV show in the evening...there is music throughout my day. (the most shocking wake up song ever was in junior high when I awoke violently awake to the scream of "Freak Out!")
I met my best friend through choir in high school. Connie and I would keep each other on tune while we sang together in Girl's Glee. She always covered for me during that song with the rolled 'r's that I could never do. I stayed in choirs through high school, one in college (as well as piano lessons and hand bells). I absolutely loved practicing my piano homework on the harpsichords in the college chapel.
At my church, music is one of the most enjoyable parts of the worship service. Thanks to a great trio of song leaders, I can sometimes pick out the alto parts...and when the music and singing comes together, it feels like flying to me. I have sung solos there twice. The first time I was nervous, the second terrified.... I have both a 'Bucket List', and a "Twenty Wishes' list (inspired by a Debbie Macomber book by the same name.) On the latter list, number 14 is Sing a Solo with Confidence. (there is no order to the list). I hope to fulfill this wish sometime in the next year (or two).
Music even influenced my naming of my daughter. OK...here's the story. My favorite author is Anne McCaffrey. She created a character in my favorite series, Dragon Riders of Pern, who is a Harper, a teacher/arbitrator girl. Her name is Menolly. I couldn't figure out how to pronounce it, so I always read it as Melody. It fit. So, when I found out I was having a daughter, I decided to name her after this musical girl, thus Melody (for those who don't know, it's Cat's first name).
Music is still an important part of my life. There is always music running in the back of my mind. My children know this, and have occasionally tormented my by calling me at work, and playing 'Banana Phone' or the "Hamster Dance", just to wedge that into my head....a sure way to insanity, I tell you. I love many varieties of music... Josh Groban, bagpipes (esp Galiec Storm & Tartanic), classical (esp Pacabel's Canon, played on a harpsichord), Air Supply, Barry White, Pat Benetar, Newsboys, Third Day, and stuff I hear on 105.5 (though I'm terrible with song or artist names). I love music...and it's part of every moment of my life.
I met my best friend through choir in high school. Connie and I would keep each other on tune while we sang together in Girl's Glee. She always covered for me during that song with the rolled 'r's that I could never do. I stayed in choirs through high school, one in college (as well as piano lessons and hand bells). I absolutely loved practicing my piano homework on the harpsichords in the college chapel.
At my church, music is one of the most enjoyable parts of the worship service. Thanks to a great trio of song leaders, I can sometimes pick out the alto parts...and when the music and singing comes together, it feels like flying to me. I have sung solos there twice. The first time I was nervous, the second terrified.... I have both a 'Bucket List', and a "Twenty Wishes' list (inspired by a Debbie Macomber book by the same name.) On the latter list, number 14 is Sing a Solo with Confidence. (there is no order to the list). I hope to fulfill this wish sometime in the next year (or two).
Music even influenced my naming of my daughter. OK...here's the story. My favorite author is Anne McCaffrey. She created a character in my favorite series, Dragon Riders of Pern, who is a Harper, a teacher/arbitrator girl. Her name is Menolly. I couldn't figure out how to pronounce it, so I always read it as Melody. It fit. So, when I found out I was having a daughter, I decided to name her after this musical girl, thus Melody (for those who don't know, it's Cat's first name).
Music is still an important part of my life. There is always music running in the back of my mind. My children know this, and have occasionally tormented my by calling me at work, and playing 'Banana Phone' or the "Hamster Dance", just to wedge that into my head....a sure way to insanity, I tell you. I love many varieties of music... Josh Groban, bagpipes (esp Galiec Storm & Tartanic), classical (esp Pacabel's Canon, played on a harpsichord), Air Supply, Barry White, Pat Benetar, Newsboys, Third Day, and stuff I hear on 105.5 (though I'm terrible with song or artist names). I love music...and it's part of every moment of my life.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
candalabras as an investigative tool
Here I sit, wondering what to write for tonight's blog...and while I'm wondering, I am also watching some old black & white movie on my wee little bedroom TV. It's about a brother and sister who buy this out of the way house. I think it's set in the fortys, because of the beautiful hair styles, and the shirt dresses the women wear. Anyways, the house seems to be haunted. And what does our hero and heroine do when they hear a mysterious weeping coming from downstairs? They light candles, and carry them in those silver holders, and go investigate.
That makes me think of every old time monster movie I have seen. The heroine always wears a willowy white nightgown. And when she hears a bump in the night, she puts on a diaphanous robe, grabs up a lit candalabra, and heads out to investigate. Me, personally, if I was asleep in such a situation, I'd take a moment, put on some pants (even if it was the fortys, I could grab my brother's pants, surely), and grab the poker from fireplace, then with a friend or two, I'd head out to bash whatever made the 'bump'.
As I once read in a comic, 'women in willowly white nightgowns, who go outside with a candalabra, to investigate bumps in the night...deserve what they get'. I agree. Off to consider watching some more... nah... instead I'll turn to Enchanted, and watch people randomly breaking into song. But that's another blog...
That makes me think of every old time monster movie I have seen. The heroine always wears a willowy white nightgown. And when she hears a bump in the night, she puts on a diaphanous robe, grabs up a lit candalabra, and heads out to investigate. Me, personally, if I was asleep in such a situation, I'd take a moment, put on some pants (even if it was the fortys, I could grab my brother's pants, surely), and grab the poker from fireplace, then with a friend or two, I'd head out to bash whatever made the 'bump'.
As I once read in a comic, 'women in willowly white nightgowns, who go outside with a candalabra, to investigate bumps in the night...deserve what they get'. I agree. Off to consider watching some more... nah... instead I'll turn to Enchanted, and watch people randomly breaking into song. But that's another blog...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Oh, the possibilities....
Some days, when the stress level of daily living begins to get to me, my mind drifts back to my childhood. I spent most of my day actively living in and with my imagination. Anything was possible then.
I would have adventures on my purple two wheeler. My sister and I would ride on the sidewalk (we weren't allowed to ride in the street-too young), making 'dinka-dinka' sounds when we would turn around to go back the other way. ('dinka-dinka' is the sound of the turn signal in my parents' grassy green Duster car). We might be cops in pursuit, or Indians riding our trusty steeds, or flying on our sonic spaceships...the skies were ours!
I played a game called 'Statues' with neighborhood kids... we'd spin madly about, until the main player called stop! Then we'd freeze into whatever position we were in at that exact moment. Then the 'seller' would go through his/her gallery of statues, and explain and sell them to the potential seller. It was fun, and very imaginative.
My favorite game was superheros. I remember pretending to be Catwoman (Julie Newmar one, of course), and standing next to a kid pretending to be Penguin...about to run, being chased by about a dozen superheros.
I remember one night, my parents let me stay after dark, in the second lot across the street for a while. I played a superhero there too, having adventures of my own making, and diving for the shadows whenever a car would venture by...
Thinking back, I realize that I don't want to go back to my childhood. What I really want to do is to go back to that ultimate feeling of infinite possibilities.
I would have adventures on my purple two wheeler. My sister and I would ride on the sidewalk (we weren't allowed to ride in the street-too young), making 'dinka-dinka' sounds when we would turn around to go back the other way. ('dinka-dinka' is the sound of the turn signal in my parents' grassy green Duster car). We might be cops in pursuit, or Indians riding our trusty steeds, or flying on our sonic spaceships...the skies were ours!
I played a game called 'Statues' with neighborhood kids... we'd spin madly about, until the main player called stop! Then we'd freeze into whatever position we were in at that exact moment. Then the 'seller' would go through his/her gallery of statues, and explain and sell them to the potential seller. It was fun, and very imaginative.
My favorite game was superheros. I remember pretending to be Catwoman (Julie Newmar one, of course), and standing next to a kid pretending to be Penguin...about to run, being chased by about a dozen superheros.
I remember one night, my parents let me stay after dark, in the second lot across the street for a while. I played a superhero there too, having adventures of my own making, and diving for the shadows whenever a car would venture by...
Thinking back, I realize that I don't want to go back to my childhood. What I really want to do is to go back to that ultimate feeling of infinite possibilities.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Random Thoughts
Today my mind is all over the place. I tried to read a magazine today and couldn't get through an entire article. (Got two Women's Day and a new Writer's Digest all today). What was I talking about? Oh, right...my thoughts are all over the place. So, today, this will totally be random thoughts.
My daughter is currently sitting on my bed, watching Disney Channel (me too), eating Doritos that taste like meat... cheeseburgers. Weird... the chips, not the girl. :)
I'm in the mood to do some sewing..but can't seem to get around to sitting down to do something I enjoy. I like to make doll quilts. Weird, eh? I've made them for every young female relative I have. It's fun to do patchwork and quilting in miniature. I have the material laid out for it... but... maybe this weekend. The days seem to rush by...it's morning, I'm eating breakfast, then I'm at work, then home doing chores... making dinner..then bed then start over again. *sigh*
Do I like jelly beans and Crunchie bars so much because they are truly delicious, or because they are harder to find here? (jelly beans hard to find cept near Easter, and Crunchies only sold in Canada and Europe). I wonder.....
Why do some people find so much fault with me being veg something to argue about?
Well, that's about it for tonight..hopefully I'll be more clear minded and coherent next time!
My daughter is currently sitting on my bed, watching Disney Channel (me too), eating Doritos that taste like meat... cheeseburgers. Weird... the chips, not the girl. :)
I'm in the mood to do some sewing..but can't seem to get around to sitting down to do something I enjoy. I like to make doll quilts. Weird, eh? I've made them for every young female relative I have. It's fun to do patchwork and quilting in miniature. I have the material laid out for it... but... maybe this weekend. The days seem to rush by...it's morning, I'm eating breakfast, then I'm at work, then home doing chores... making dinner..then bed then start over again. *sigh*
Do I like jelly beans and Crunchie bars so much because they are truly delicious, or because they are harder to find here? (jelly beans hard to find cept near Easter, and Crunchies only sold in Canada and Europe). I wonder.....
Why do some people find so much fault with me being veg something to argue about?
Well, that's about it for tonight..hopefully I'll be more clear minded and coherent next time!
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