The Night Before Christmas...Jackie Style...

'Twas Five Days Before Christmas, When All Through The House

Lots of Creatures Were Stirring, But Hopefully No Mouse!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care

In Hopes That St. Nicholas Would Soon Be There.

The Children Were Shuttled Off To Their Schools

And They Were Instructed To Please Not Break Any Rules.

Dad sped off To Work With a Clang And a Clatter

I Went To The Window To See What Was The Matter

A Flat Tire Was Had By The Dad Of The House

"Merry Christmas", Said I, "And At Least We Don't Have a Mouse!"

These Days Before Christmas, As I Check Things Off My List

I Wonder...Hmmm...What's The Point Of All This?

And Then I Remember...The Reason For All This Joy,

It's Because Of The Birth Of A Special Little Boy!

So, Five Days Before Christmas We Are As Busy As Little Bees,

Baking, Wrapping, Shopping And Things Such As These,

We Look Forward To St. Nicholas Stopping By,

And...
Celebrating The Birth of Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas and See You in 2011!

Christmas Is A Time For Celebration...

I have gotten caught up in all the craziness of this Christmas season.  I have already purchased almost all of our gifts, the house is decorated, I'm deciding if I'm going to send out Christmas cards or not, we're scheduled to attend Christmas gatherings and open houses at the schools, I'm trying to get through the maze of Christmas shoppers who invade the side of town I live on every year right after Thanksgiving, I'm planning our Christmas menu and when we'll visit relatives, I'm trying to figure out when I'm going to wrap the gifts, what cookies to bake...etc...etc...etc...

It's exhausting when I think about all the normal activities I have and then pile all this extra Holiday Cheer on top of it.  Overwhelming Anxiety is what I feel.   

Then...I stop and think about what Christmas is really about.  I take the time to focus on the meaning of this holiday.  The Birth of Jesus.  I take time to think about what that means for me and those I love.  Overwhelming Gratitude is what I feel. 

As I have taken time to dig into the meaning and Purpose of Christmas I discovered the first purpose is...

Christmas Is A Time For Celebration!

So, let's celebrate!  Let's gather together with our family and friends and Celebrate the gift God gave us...Jesus!  Let's give each other gifts, share meals together, enjoy the lights adorning so many homes, bake cookies, decorate trees, and attend Christmas parties.  Jolly Old St. Nick may even visit and bring a few surprises.  No matter how we do it...It's time to Celebrate!

**Photos-one of the many "men" on my Snowman Tree and a corner of my dining room.

Sparse Beauty...

A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home.  

— Carl Burns 

 

 

 

*Photos taken at my Aunt and Uncles farm in NE MO Thanksgiving weekend 

Thanks For Stopping By,

Jackie

Got Cranberries?

   

I looked in my refrigerator on Tuesday and I had 3 bags of Cranberries left over from Thanksgiving.  I found a recipe for Cranberry Cake at Taste of Home so I thought I'd try it out.  It has been a huge hit at our house and I'll definitely make it again.  It is the perfect blend of tart and sweet and it's surprisingly light since there is no frosting.  We top it with whipped cream.  Enjoy!

Cranberry Cake

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• Whipped cream, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. Add butter and extract; beat 2 minutes. Gradually stir in flour just until combined. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Spread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
• Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream if desired. Yield: 16-20 servings.

Thanks For Stopping By,


Jackie

An Overdue Thank You...

Good morning!

A few weeks ago I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award from Melissa of From My Somewhat Serious Mind!  Thanks so much Melissa...I'm honored! I encourage you to visit Melissa's blog...you won't be disappointed!  You should also check out her business website...printhis.biz...she prints invitations, digital  cards, etc...very nice!

The rules are that I must share 7 things about myself and pass on the award.  I confess and say that I'm terrible about choosing who should get these awards and so I'm going to pass this on to all my blog friends...you are all very deserving!!

So here goes...

1.  I'm addicted to magazines!!  The print kind...you know the ones that arrive in your mailbox?  I subscribe to several and buy more at the store.  I still enjoy flipping through the pages more than viewing stuff online.

2.  Speaking of magazines...I tear stuff out of them and stick it in a scrapbook...yeah, I know, your teenage daughter probably does that too.

3.  I've had 3 Cranberry Bliss Bars from Starbucks since they came out this holiday season!  Sshhhh!  P.S. if you check the nutrition information at the above website you'll note that they don't have it available online.  I'm quite sure that is because each bar probably has 852 calories and they don't want anyone to know the truth!

4.  I LOVE to bake bread.  Okay, I use a bread machine for the dough, so it's cheating a little I know.  I love how it makes my house smell.

5.  I really want to go on a vacation all by myself!  I'd love to have a hotel room all to myself.  I'd do LOTS of reading, venture out and take lots of photos and do a LOT of journaling.

6.  I'm going to be 42 years old in 28 days!  All those kids I walk by everyday on campus...I'm definitely old enough to be their mother now!

7.  My kitchen has been half painted for approximately 2 months.  It's going to get done before the end of the year...I'm sure of it!

8.  And a bonus...My husband and I went to our high school senior prom together...23 years ago!  We didn't get married though, until 1997 (ten years after our high school graduation). 

I hope you all have a great December 2nd!

Thanks For Stopping By...


Jackie

Menu Plan Monday - November 29, 2010

Good Morning!

It's a little hard to plan this menu after all the cooking and eating that took place in the last week...but here goes...be sure to stop by Orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas. 


Monday:  Farmhouse Chicken (I'm using leftover turkey)

Tuesday:  Dinner with Friends (I provide the dessert) Cranberry Crumb Bars

Wednesday:  Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork (new recipe), Baked Beans, Salad

Thursday:  Slow-Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and leftover pulled pork

Friday:   Taco Night!


Saturday: Baked Buffalo Wings with Veggies and Dip

Sunday:  Baked Chicken Parmesan, Salad and Buttery Bread Machine Rolls


Thanks for stopping by,

Jackie

And Now The Christmas Season Can Begin...

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart."
~ Washington Irving (1783-1859), American short-story writer and essayist.

 

 

 

My Christmas Season Will Begin By Enjoying A Cup of This...

While Reading One of These...

Thanks For Stopping By,

Jackie

Favorite Thanksgiving Prayers and Traditions...

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving, besides all the great food, is our Thanksgiving Tablecloth!  I spread out a white tablecloth and everyone who has dinner with us or stops by on Thanksgiving signs the tablecloth and records what they are thankful for.  It is a treasure!! I don't have mine out yet...so no photo...but here is an example.

I've also collected a few simple prayers for Thanksgiving. 

My prayer for you this holiday is that your Thanksgiving is filled with warmth, food, good health, family and friends. 

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

- Samuel F. Pugh

Thank you for the food we eat,

Thank you for the world so sweet,

Thank you for the birds that sing,

Thank you God for everything.

Thanksgiving Prayer

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jackie

Menu Plan Monday - November 22, 2010

Hello Blog Friends!

Thanksgiving Week is here!  I'm participating in Menu Plan Monday sponsored by OrgJunkie.  Head over there for more great menus for this wonderful week of cooking and eating.

Monday: Baked Potato Soup with Salad and Rolls

Tuesday:  Slow Cooker French Dip with Sweet Potato Fries (frozen)

Wednesday:  Kobe's 10th Birthday!!  His favorite Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Salad and Cheesy Cauliflower

Thursday:  Thanksgiving Day (menu below)

Friday:  Leftover Buffet/Eating Out/Shopping/Visiting

Saturday:  Leftover Buffet/Eating Out/Shopping/Visiting

Sunday: Taco Night!

Thanksgiving Day Menu

Appetizers

Veggie Tray

Chopped Mediterranean Salad with Pita Chips

Main

Turkey

Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Noodles

Cranberry Sauce

Sweet Potato Casserole

Broccoli/Rice Casserole

Sweet Dinner Rolls

Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Desserts

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Thanks For Stopping By!

Jackie

Thoughts On A Cold, November Missouri Morning...

November.  The Month of Being Thankful.  This gratitude thing is what I try to do all year round.  When I Embrace My Blessings on a daily basis...my life changes. The month of November brings those blessings into the forefront of my thoughts.

This cold morning I saw a thin layer of ice on my deck chairs.  I'm thankful the changing seasons.  Each new season can be seen a new beginning.  As we're about to enter into a busy season of preparing our homes for the holidays and days filled with wrapping gifts and baking I want to take the next few days before Thanksgiving to reflect on my own gratitude.  To Slow Down and take note of my Blessings and to prepare my heart for the Spiritual Journey I will take in the next month with Following The Star: The Advent Devotional.  I invite you to take part in the devotional journey along with me. This year will mark the 3rd time that I have taken this journey during the Advent Season...you won't be disappointed...

A few of my Multitude of Blessings...

~~Knowing I Can Start Fresh This Morning and God's Mercies Are New Each Day~~

~~My Husband Dealing With a Long-Lived Issue and Working So Hard On It...will you pray for him?~~

~~Hearing Kyler, my 4-year Old, Say To His Brother, "Jesus Was On Earth and He Loves Us"~~

~~Celebrating 10 years Of Being a Mom In A Few Days.  One of The Two Best Gifts I've Ever Been Given...Being Kobe's Mom~~

~~Kyler hugging Kobe When We Pick Him Up From School and Hearing Him Say, "I Missed You Big Brother"~~

~~Candle-Light, Conversation with God and Steaming Coffee On A Cold, November Missouri Morning~~

Jackie

**photo - view from my deck on a very cold January morning in 2009.

Menu Plan Monday - November 15, 2010

Happy Monday Blog Friends!

I'm back for another Menu Planning Monday sponsored by OrgJunkie.  Head over there for more great meal ideas!

In addition to the menu below, I plan to make Pumpkin Bread and Banana Cranberry Bread for snacks and quick breakfasts this week.

Monday:  Slow Cooker Pork and Beans with Salad and Rolls

Tuesday:  Spaghetti with Salad

Wednesday:  Honey Mustard Lime Chicken with Rice and Broccoli

Thursday:  Aunt Fannie's Dinner with Salad

Friday:  Taco Night!

Saturday:  Baked Ziti with Salad and Sweet Dinner Rolls

Sunday:  Slow Cooker Green Beans, Ham and New Potatoes



Thanks For Stopping By,

Jackie

Book Review - Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

From the Product Description... 

Holden Harris is an eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal---on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different. Ella Reynolds is part of the 'in' crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him ... the way he is drawn to the music. Then, Ella makes a dramatic discovery---she and Holden were best friends as children. Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school. Including her boyfriend, Jake. Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and that just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden's praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theater kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden? This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song must be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs. 

My Review...
Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury was enjoyable to read and hard to put down.  Karen has a way of drawing me into her stories and her books never fail to inspire me to continually strengthen my faith.  While the main themes of this book are Autism, Teen Suicide and Bullying, all relevant topics for today's teenagers, I found myself drawn to the character of Ella and her relationship with her mother.  Ella is a strong girl who won't take no for an answer when she is trying to help Holden, yet she has her own struggles at home.  The theme of bullying was so interesting to me and I felt myself rooting for the characters who were seen as different and didn't fit in.  The ability to see into Holden's locked up world of Autism was fascinating, especially when I read about the research Karen had done to prepare for writing this book.  Although the book is fairly predictable, it is an inspirational story filled with hope and it will warm your heart.  I recommend this for teenagers to adults.  Tissues Needed!

Thanks to Zondervan for sending me this book in exchange for my review!




Jackie

Christmas Is A State of Mind...

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.  ~Harlan Miller

 

Christmas Carols, Snowmen and Holiday Cheer were enjoyed by all this past weekend at the Holiday Open Houses we attended.  I had a great visit with my Mom and enjoyed seeing my cousin and Aunt as well.  We missed the girls who couldn't be with us.  I can hardly even believe that I'm almost ready to start my Christmas preparations.  I'm not in any hurry to by-pass my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, but I'm in the Christmas Spirit this year.  I have a lot to be Thankful for and I enjoy making my home a warm and inviting place for family and friends to find comfort in.  I look forward to sharing some of my decorating and our family traditions with you this season.

My Cute Shopping Partner...

Christmas Trees on The Old Truck Set the Mood...

The New Winter Sign For My Foyer Will Replace...

...this Fall Sign...

Ice Skating Cuteness...

Thanks For Stopping By,

Jackie

Menu Plan Monday...

Happy Monday Blog Friends!


I'm joining the OrgJunkie this week and participating in Menu Plan Monday.  For the last several months I have been planning our menus every two weeks.  I do the bulk of our grocery shopping every two weeks,  because that is when I am paid, and I do a quick run in between for bread, milk, etc.  This schedule works well for us.  To help me keep track of our meals, and since I use so many of the other participating blogs to plan my own meals, I've decided to give Menu Plan Mondays a try.  I will only be posting our dinner menus because we're gone during lunch and breakfast at our house is quick (toast, cereal, muffins).  It will be a short week for us because we will be out of town Friday-Sunday so I'm off the hook for those meals.  Here is the plan for this week...

Monday: Broccoli Cheese Soup and Sweet Dinner Rolls
The broccoli cheese soup will be doubled and 1 portion will go in the freezer


Tuesday: Easy Chicken Enchilada Crescent Bake with carrots and dip


Wednesday:  Sloppy Joe's (from the freezer), Tater Tots, Corn


Thursday:  Beef Stew with Potato Dumplings (gnocchi)


Friday:  Out of town


Saturday:  Out of town


Sunday:  Out of town until early evening...sandwiches and chips for dinner


Thanks for Stopping By,


Jackie

There's a Chill in the Air...

Whew...those last two posts were a bit on the heavy side...even for me. Let's move on to something a little more fun! It's chilly today and I'm in the mood for some comfort...

It's a perfect day for some leftover Baked Ziti. I made this last night and it was a hit with all the boys.  It was an easy weeknight meal and next time I'm going to double the recipe and freeze.  The only change I made to the recipe was adding cream cheese and omitting the sour cream.  It's what I had on hand and it worked great.

Next on my list is grabbing one of these when I'm out today.  It's really on my list folks...and yes I have a problem...I'm aware of it.  It's a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. 

And finally, my Mom is coming to spend the weekend!  I'm looking forward to seeing her and snagging some goodies on our little road-trip to the best store in Missouri, Randolph Mercantile!  Here is a sampling of what we might see tomorrow...

 

Have a great weekend!

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Knowing Who My Father Is...Part 2

And so the story continues.  To read the part 1 click here.

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness was a conscious choice.  It didn't come easy for me but it did come...about 10 years ago.  I had to forgive my Dad to move on in my journey.  If I didn't forgive him I would have been stuck...stalled...and bitter.  Corrie ten Boom says it best,  "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."

For me, forgiveness was deciding that I couldn't change the past or change who my Dad was.  What I could do was accept the facts and move forward.  Forgiveness was part of the journey and took a long time before it was settled in my heart.  Forgiveness is what has helped me to be grateful for my experiences and to know that those experiences have shaped who I am today. 


Finding my true Father.  My Heavenly Father.


In the middle of the worst times of my journey...in the early years...I decided that there had to be something more than what I was feeling.  I kept searching and I found my Heavenly Father.  I didn't have a conversion experience.  I made a decision and decided to trust that there must be something more out there.  My faith came alive as I studied and prayed and my relationship with God flourished.  It continues to this day. 

After I examined my feelings of sadness that day that I had lunch with my friend, I was reminded that I have a Father who loves me.  That father is God. 

My earthly father...my Dad...may not be what I would hope for and that's okay.   God desires a relationship with me and that's all I need.

I also know that my Heavenly Father is my Strength (Isaiah 12:2), my Guide (Proverbs 3:6), my Counselor (Psalm 16:7) and my Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10).  Just as a Father should be.

Until Next Time,
Jackie

*photo courtesy of flickr.com

Knowing Who My Father Is...Part 1

"Heavenly Father, You are my Restorer.  You restore all that has been taken, destroyed, devoured, or lost from my life"  (Adapted from Psalm 23:3)

As my friend Julie and I sat down to lunch a few weeks ago, she began telling me that she had met her Dad for coffee earlier that morning.  They'd had a nice, long chat and he had helped her with a decision she needed to make about a house repair.  She was full of love for her Dad and was thankful he is in her life today.  As she was telling me about her morning I felt a tug on my heart.  I dismissed the feeling.  I wasn't even sure what it was.  We went on with our lunch and had an enjoyable time, as usual.  On my way back to work I realized what the feeling was...what the tug on my heart meant...it was Sadness.  I was surprised at this feeling because I came to terms years ago about the relationship (or lack thereof) I have with my Dad.  I'll probably never be able to call him to meet me for coffee or to ask his advice about something.  I haven't written much about my Dad on this blog...on purpose.  There really isn't much to say.  As I grew into adult-hood 20+ years ago I began my journey of figuring out who I was...in spite of who my father was...and what he had led me to believe about myself.  That journey was hard in the early years.  I had to come to terms with shame, self image, sadness, anger and many other emotions.

I haven't spoken more than a handful of words to my Dad in the last 5 years.  I did see him at my Grandmothers funeral earlier this year and you can read about that here.  I can't say what my Dad's life is like now.  I can't tell you where he lives or if he is even alive.  I can tell you what I know about him from my past.  He could strike up a conversation with just about anyone.  He was an entrepreneur.  He was a gardener.  He was was also an Alcoholic, Abusive, Manipulative and a Master of Mind Control.

Those are the facts.

I don't write them here to slander my Dad.  I write them so you understand where I come from and why I had to take that journey to...Knowing Who My Father is...

We all have stories and I invite you to share one of mine.  Stay tuned for Part 2.

*Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Trick or Treat...

Wind Blowing,

Jack-O-Lanterns Glowing,

Witches, Ghosts, Ninjas and Soldiers,

Characters Out and About,

Candy And Fun Throughout,

Halloween Fright,

Oh, What a Magical Night.

Until Next Time,

Jackie

Love One Another...Even in our Differences...

 

Recently I had a conversation with someone who had decided to not attend an event because there was going to be a family at this event who is...different.  Different from her family and different from mine.  I was taken aback that I was actually hearing this in the year 2010.  How is this possible?  It would have never occurred to me to NOT attend this event because there would be a family there who is different than mine.  I then realized how lucky my family is to live in a diverse community.

As I thought about it more I became Thankful.  

Thankful that I don't live my life like that.  

Thankful that we are surrounded by families who are different than we are.  

Thankful that I get to have conversations with my boys about the fact that not all families look like ours.  I get the opportunity to talk to the boys about kindness...tolerance...peace...and respect.

There are all different types of families...cultures...religions...lifestyles...ideas...

Love is what makes a Family.

Love One Another...Even in Our Differences.

1 John 4:7-10 (New Living Translation) 

Loving One Another

⁷ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  ⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

 

Photo courtesy of flickr.com and remember the United Colors of Benetton commercials from the 1980's?  That's is what I kept picturing when I was writing this post.  I couldn't find any old shots of those but the one above is a good substitute.

Doing The Dishes...

 

Eight years ago I worked for a professor here at the University and we had some interesting, deep and philosophical conversations.  He was about to retire from a long academic career.  He wasn't easy to work for, but he had a lot of knowledge and I learned from him.  One of our conversations was about Doing The Dishes.  Yes.  Doing The Dishes.  At the time, my first born was two years old and I was still trying to adjust to Motherhood and Working and what that meant.  In one of our conversations, I remember him telling me that every night he and wife would dine together and then he would put on some music and do the dishes.  He did the dishes.  He said, "it's the most relaxing part of my day".  I probably smiled and said something like, "that's nice".  What I remember thinking is, "what in the world is he talking about?"  I just want to get home, see my baby, eat dinner and get the clean up over with so we can get on with our evening.  I was definitely moving at a fast pace and not enjoying the little things.  Not really taking the time to enjoy the Moments. 

Until last night...I had forgotten about this conversation.

Last night, like always, Pat was at work and the boys and I had dinner.  After dinner one was showering and one was in his room.  I commenced with the usual after-dinner cleanup.  I filled the dishwasher, started it and then began hand-washing some of the pots and glassware.  The window above the sink was open and there was a cool breeze blowing in.  The sink was full of suds.  The house was quiet except for the running water from the shower down the hall.  

Then.

I got it.  I understood why that was the most relaxing part of his day.  I felt it too.  The busy-ness of the day was being washed away as the dishes in the sink were becoming clean.  It was a simple and repetitive motion.  But I relaxed.  I enjoyed it.  This simple task.  It didn't feel like the chore it has always felt like to me in the past.

I'm not sure what has changed within me.  Growing older maybe?  Probably.  But I'm learning to enjoy all the moments.  Especially the small ones.  

Until Next Time,

Jackie

**photo courtesy of flickr.com 

I'm linking up with Blessed Little Nest's - Life Made Lovely Monday (even though it's Tuesday).  Head over there for more loveliness!

Touches of Fall Around The House...

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
-   Elizabeth Lawrence