Just a Cup of Tea

In the past three days, I've had two separate friends - who I don't think actually know each other - sit me down for a cup of tea.  Sweet, quiet moments in the midst of absolute insanity.

I was astounded at how refreshed I felt, spiritually and even physically, by the simple act of taking time out for this simple ritual.

I've never been "all that" as a Mom, homemaker, homeschooler, or what have you.  Truthfully, I've never even longed for the whole, "let me create a quiet haven for my family with a nice cup of tea and freshly baked goodies" scene.  Maybe I just can't sit still long enough, or maybe I'm too busy with the next project. . . .

But it was lovely.  I don't know that I can pull it off every day, or even every week, but I think we need to sit for a cup of tea now and again.

So in this week leading up to Christmas, I wish for you, my friends, a quiet moment or two, and a cup of tea.

And a good friend to sip it with.

And Then there were Three

Teenagers, that is.  Officially today, we are the parents of three. . . count 'em, THREE teenagers.

(And - we've discovered that we will never have MORE than 3 teenagers at once.  Go figure!)

So somehow, in a few short, blink-of-an-eye years, we've gone from this. . . . .

To this.

To my lovely, Jane Austen reading, costume-designing, ballet-dancing, tender-hearted, beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful, thoughtful, funny, charming, delightful Emily. . . .

Happy Birthday.

I'm so glad I have you in my life to tell me if my clothes match, if our house is decorated correctly, and if I'm embarrassing you too much.

You are a joy.  I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for your life!

And - just because I can - another very special picture:

Emily and Gretchen, friends since before they were born.  Literally.  Wish she could be here to celebrate the day with us!

And for the record?  I think having three teenagers is pretty terrific :)

Wordless Wednesday - Dog Tired Edition

Adjusting My Vision

As I write this, I'm sorely in need of an eye exam.  (And since we've established that my mother does, sometimes, read my blog, I will add this comment:  Yes, Mom, I'm going to take care of that.  Soon.)  Things are just getting a little fuzzy, and I find myself moving books a bit to see some teeny tiny print now and then.  Ah, aging.

I've found that - lately - I've been so swamped with work and schooling and - well - life in general - that my spiritual vision has gotten a bit fuzzy as well.  Unable to see the forest for the trees, I've taken to grumbling and griping, indulging far too often in a pity party that has dampened my spirits and kept me from seeing clearly.

Time for an adjustment.

And so here, in this quiet moment, when the blessing of a head cold (yes, I did just type that. . .blessing) has kept me home all day, I'm taking a moment to reflect.  It's picture-heavy, I know. . .but here are some snapshots of blessings that have abounded to me and mine in the past month or so.

In mid-November, I took an unexpected trip to CT to attend a funeral and love on a dear friend.  Sadly, I have no pictures of my dear Darcy, but here are a few other remembrances. 

A fun night with Sheila and Tammy. . .acting like teenagers texting!

My sweet niece Sarah. . .so good to spend time with her and hear her heart.

How tall I remember them . . . . . .

And how tall they are now!!!

Jeremy, Oliver, Charlotte, Anna, and Caroline. . .I was there when many of them were born, changed their diapers. . . and now they're so grown!!!

With the Dirty Deed!  Just as fun an zany as ever, got to meet Dave & Cheryl Blough's twins.  They're still changing diapers!  Bless their hearts!!!

Thanksgiving. . . . for so many things. . . . . .

Me & Sweet Emily. . .Almost a teenager. . .So lovely

All gathered.  Love each and every one - what a blessing they all are.

Great shot - Dad & daughter doing dishes!

The gingerbread tradition is SERIOUS business.

Grammy & Kat play Scrabble iPad style. . .I get artsy with my camera.  Or at least, try to.

Sisters sharing a secret on the way to Black Friday shopping.

December has already been filled with precious memories - and here are a few of them!
 

Nathaniel and friends at the BEST Robotics competition.  So thankful for this program - it has really sparked a love of engineering in our boy!

Everyone needs to sleep under a Christmas tree at least once.

You've gotta love a 15-year old who doesn't mind his sister sitting on his lap during lunch - and a bunch of friends who think that it's nothing unusual to enjoy the company of your siblings, no matter their age!

This picture captures their joy.  I just love it.

Beautiful shepherdess at the Walk Thru Nativity.

Ever seen cuter shepherds?  Hannah in front, and Amy in the stripes.  It was Amy's dream for TWO YEARS to be in the scene with the goats. . . she got her wish!!!

Kathryn was a beautiful Mary in the scene where the Angel Gabriel visited her.  "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord. . . "

Piano teachers are a blessing! 

Kathryn and Fellow Fellows show off their decorated cookies.

The "Flohnson" Learning Community - such a special and FUN group of students!  We were so glad to host them at our house for a Christmas party.  It's been a great semester for Kathryn.

It wouldn't be December without. . .ballet!  Amy in mid-air.

 And now. . . . because of another unexpected but "secret" blessing. . . .(and again, since my mother reads my blog I will say. . .thank you!!!!). . . . I'll stop the pictures for now.

But my vision has been adjusted. 

And I am so very, very thankful and so very, very blessed.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

Pumpkin. . Month? Kinda-Prize-Winning "Pie"

So much for pumpkin week.  Let's just say. . . .life. . . .got in the way.

Here it is, the night before Thanksgiving.  And I've just finished the last touches on my signature Thanksgiving dessert, "Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars" - which is heretofore known as. . . .

"Kinda-Prize-Winning Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake 'Pie'"

(You know there's a back story here, don't you?)

Our friends, the Bailey's, have The Social Event of the season - a good old fashioned Barn Party, complete with square dancing, a pig roast, and. . . . a Pie Contest.

So of course, never one to shy away from a competition, I whip up this recipe - in a pie pan, naturally - and submit it.  AFTER bragging on facebook that I would - um - soundly trounce a certain friend of mine.

The girls ready for some Barn Party Fun!

She won.

I didn't even place.

Oh, the humiliation.

Never to be deterred, I decided I would enter the blasted recipe at every contest I encountered - and luckily for me, that contest was at our Family Life Campout, held the weekend before Halloween.  I whipped up another scrumptious "pie", entered. . . .

AND WON FIRST PLACE!  WOO HOO!!!

(Never mind that there were only 3 entries.  Never mind that the other two entries were - ahem - made by girls under the age of 12.  I won, I tell you!  Victory!  I will not be vanquished!!!)

And now, with that gripping back story out of the way . . .on to the recipe!

Step One:  The crust

Crush one package of graham crackers - about 1.5 cups.  Mix with 1/4 c. sugar and 1/3 c. melted butter.  Spread in a greased 13x9 dish.  (Or. . . . in a pie plate.  If you're trying to win a pie contest.)

Step Two:  The Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened, with 1 3/4  c. sugar and mix well.  Mix in 3 eggs, 1 cup pureed or canned pumpkin, 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1/4 tsp. salt.  After mixing, set aside 1 1/4 c. of the mixture in a small bowl.

Pay no attention to the can of pumpkin behind the curtain.  Let's focus on the nice, fresh pumpkins on the counter, shall we?

 Step Three:  The Secret Weapon - CHOCOLATE!

In a small saucepan, melt 6 oz. chocolate chips with 2 Tbl. butter.

 Try not to eat the other half of the bag of chocolate chips.

Once melted, add the small bowl of pumpkin mixture to the chocolate.  Add just a little at a time, I think it prevents the pumpkin-cheesecake mixture from curdling or something. I  dunno.  That's just how I do it.

I did not have a photographer take this.  I'm pouring with my left hand, taking the pix with my right.  Be impressed.

Mmmm!  Stir it up!

 Spread the chocolate mixture on the graham cracker crust.  Bake at 325 for 15 minutes or so.

Remove the chocolate layer from the oven.

Carefully pour the rest of the pumpkin mixture over the chocolate layer.  Put it back in the oven (use your pot holders!  I forgot once. . . OUCH!)  for another 40-50 minutes, or until the edges puff up and the center is slightly set.

Remove from the oven, let cool 30 minutes.

In the meantime, mix 1 1/4 c. sour cream and 1/4 c. sugar.  When the dessert has slightly cooled, spread the sour cream mixture on top.  I like to sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or cocoa for presentation.  And to win pie contests.  Or at least - try to win.

Refrigerate overnight, and keep any leftovers refrigerated.

It's pretty yummy, even if I don't say so myself.

And at least one pie contest judge thought so!

Thanks, Mike - your check is in the mail.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

Pumpkin Week: Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

Time to get the blog back a-hummin' again.  And since it's fall, and finally colder weather, let's break out some warm and cozy recipes, shall we?  (Plus, I really don't have the energy or time or brainpower to finish some of the more weighty blog posts.)  So - lucky you, faithful readers (all 3 of you)!  It's. . . .


PUMPKIN TIME!!!!

Let's start with a yummy breakfast recipe, shall we?

My long-time readers will remember the great spice fiasco while making Baked Oatmeal.   Despite that unfortunate incident, I have continued to make and serve that yummy dish fairly frequently.


Mainly because it doesn't involve any knives.  Safer than - say - separating frozen hamburger patties with a chef knife.  Not that I have any experience in that.  Or any scars to show.  Nope.  None. At All.

So lo and behold, what did I find in my stash of recipes?  A variation on the theme!  So warm up your fall mornings with this yummy dish . . . . . .

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal!

Yumminess.  Pumpkin. Oatmeal.  What more can I say?

In a large bowl, mix together:

2 3/4 c. oats (I use quick cooking, they work just fine)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice (more if you like)
(I think you should also add about 1/2 tsp. salt, even though the original recipe doesn't call for it)

Then add:

1 1/2 c. pureed pumpkin, fresh or canned
2 beaten eggs
1 T. vanilla
3 c. milk

Stir in 3/4 c. raisins or dried cranberries (dried cranberries.  Definitely dried cranberries)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (Meh.  Optional.  I'm not a big nut fan)

Pour into an 9x11 pan and bake at 350 about 45-50 minutes. 


Serves a whole hungry crowd.  Make sure you get a serving before the gang digs in!

And then get yourself to the store and buy a pile of canned pumpkin - you're a-gonna need it!  
(Or better yet, send your wonderful husband, while you stay home in your jammies and sip your pumpkin spice latte.  That's my plan, and I'm stickin' with it.)

Stay tuned for the next installment of. . . .Pumpkin Week!  See you tomorrow!  Lord willing. . . . .  

You Know the Drill: When it Rains. . .

. . . .it pours!

Blog's been quiet lately.  I really have about 6 great posts in draft form, and another 4 or 5 kicking around in the old noggin.  But in the past 2 weeks we've been hit with. . . .

. . . . . recovering from my sliced finger (which my mother knows about)
. . . . . celebrating 1 birthday for a 19-year old
. . . . . hosting a sweet couple for dinner
. . . . . pulling off some surprises for my Dad's milestone birthday
. . . . . navigating the fun, fun, fun world of dr's appointments, follow-ups, consults and insurance for aforementioned 19-year old
. . . . . someone (who shall remain nameless) puncturing her palm with a knife, requiring stitches (which my mother ALSO knows about)
. . . . . celebrating 2 birthdays for the Birthday Sisters
. . . . . and hosting 1 science party for the youngest Birthday Sister (which causes her Mommy to remember why, exactly she gave up hosting birthday parties a few years ago)

When the school year started, I said I could manage my schedule if no one got sick, or nothing major happened.

Ha.

Ha ha.

Ha ha ha.

Maybe I'll blog while eldest is in surgery on Wednesday.  (Thanks for praying)

Or maybe I'll play Bejewelled.  It's addictive.  (Which my Dad knows about.  It's his evil plot to get us all addicted to that game.  It's working.)

Or maybe I'll nap.

But I'll definitely stay away from sharp objects.  (Which is my evil plot to get banned from the kitchen.  It's working.)