Abscond (ab-skond) verb-Running away; usually includes taking something or somebody along. Leave hurriedly or secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest. The accountant absconded with the cash from the safe.
Origin:1565, from Latin absconder "to hide, conceal," from ab(s)-"away" + condere-"put together, store," from com-"together" + dere-"put." The notion is of "to hide oneself" especially to escape debt or the law.
Practical uses:(please don't abscond with any cash not yours.=))
-We absconded last week with our kids to the Detroit area.
-Don't try to abscond with cookies from the cookie jar.
-I am going to abscond for a run while Meredith is napping.
-"Have you seen me?" listings on milk cartons show pictures and facts of children who have been absconded by someone.
Time...We all have the same amount-24 hours a day. 1440 minutes. Yet there is never enough time. We always wish for more time. Where does the time go? What do we do with it? They say that time is money. It is, but it is also far more valuable than money. You can always make more money. Time is a constant. It ticks by second by second, day after day, year after year. Once gone, there is no regaining it.
Paul tells us to redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:16) Redemption is a term that goes back to slavery days. It is to buy back something that was yours before. God is our Redeemer. We were God's by right of Creator. But we were lost to sin and death. Until Jesus Christ bought us back by paying the price of His own blood.
How do we redeem our time? How can we buy it back? The verses surrounding "redeeming the time" say, "see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17) Walking circumspectly is to pay attention to all circumstances that may relate to an action. It is prudence and caution. Walking circumspectly as far as time goes, would be to realize that once time is spent, it is spent forever. Realizing the finality of that truth places a premium on your time. And should it should promote caution as to how to spend time. It also says that we need to understand what the will of the Lord is. What is God's will for me? For my family? For my time? Ask God for understanding and direction.
I think we need to be regularly evaluating just where our time is going. This goes back to the wholetime squared idea. I have found myself avoiding certain tasks lately until they are urgent, just because I don't want to do them. Avoidance robs us of time on several levels. First, you have guilt hanging over your head because you aren't doing what you should be doing. That makes what you are spending your time at much less enjoyable, than if you just bit the bullet and did what you had to do. Also, I have found that when I am avoiding a task, I also waste time doing other things I wouldn't normally spend time doing. Like playing mind numbing computer games, or scrolling through every Pinterest category, or catching up on the life doings of every one of my friends on Face Book. And when the avoided task finally makes it to the unavoidably urgent and important classification, you have to buckle down and do it, causing a domino affect whereby you end up bumping other things to that category also. You can't do what you should be doing because you are doing what you HAVE to be doing. But, if I just do each thing as it comes up, there would be much less stress.
As I once again evaluate my time spending, I am looking at a few criteria... 1)What can I do now, to save myself stress later? This would involve tax paperwork monthly instead of twice annually. Major baking on Thursdays and Fridays, when I have less other stuff to do. Using my crockpot. 2)How can I avoid doing something twice? A huge time thing for me is showering. (I know, tmi). It isn't that I take long showers, because having 4 kids has streamlined that to under 10 minutes. The question is when? Do I shower first thing in the day, then run later, and then shower again? What a waste of time! Or do I sit in my grunge all day, until I get around to running. Time saver. But, most efficient, is running early, and be done with it all. Except I need sleep too. 3)Prioritize...what is the most important? My devotion/study time. I have to be fed to feed. Schooling. I don't want to raise illiterate kids. And on a positive note, I think this is our best year to date.=) Cooking. We have to eat multiple times a day, every day. Exercise. It keeps me healthy, happy, and strong. Sleep. I need 8-9 hours every night, or I can't function. Cleaning. Every week the house needs cleaned, for my sanity and health. I can't live in dust. I am allergic. Time with Brian. Daily. We need to connect. Reading. I love to read. But it tends to get squeezed into the leftover cracks these days. Blogging. I am making this a priority. It comes before reading, and cleaning, but not much else. 4)How does God want me spending my time? How would God want my activities to be prioritized?
All these are all things I need to fit in on pretty much a daily basis. And with sleep taking an average of 8 hours, that leaves me 16 hours to work with. I redeem the time by doing some things simultaneously. Blogging happens during school. I sit at the table, while they are at the table. Reading happens while feeding Meredith. And docking my iPod around 8:30 helps me get in good reading time each day. I can read for 30-60 minutes, and still be lights out by 9:30. Exercise takes 1-1/2 hours on a swim day-but I am showered, and hair done, and ready to go on my day by 6:30. Running is taking 60-90 minutes 3-4 times a week, plus showering on top of that. Time...everything you spend time on, you take from something else you could spend time on. I like a clean house, but I am only willing to spend a minimum of time on it every week. It usually takes me around 3-4 hours to clean my whole house. And that is all the time I am devoting to it. Other things are more important to me than being able to eat off the floors. (The bigger priority is vacuuming/sweeping the floors so there is nothing for Meredith to eat off the floor=))
The way I see redeeming the time, is to not waste the time I am given. Limit my fb time, and my iPod time, even my blogging time. And use my time for eternal weight things. My study time. Prayer and Bible reading keep me grounded and dependent. I try to get them in first thing. Then investing in my relationships-husband, kids, and friends. And then a time miracle happens...God multiplies my time. As I go about the tasks for the day, I have time to do everything I need to do, and generally also time to do what I want to do. When you put God first, He, the one who transcends time, stretches out your time.
I know my priorities are not your priorities. But I'm betting that my time struggle is your time struggle. We each need to evaluate to what we are going to give our time. We need to ask what God wants us to devote our time to. And then we need to leave the rest with Him.
Day of nostalgia...I lowered Meredith's crib mattress.=( My baby is sitting up, and crawling, and holding on to her crib rail, and standing on her feet-booty in the air. Too soon, it will be standing upright. Definitely time to lower the mattress. This equates with packing away a size of outgrown clothes. You are excited for the changes, but also a stage has been passed. I now have four mobile kids. Btw, I love it, that when Meredith is crying, and I say, "come get mama," she crawls right on over.
It's a great day. And I am freezing! I was going to run, but I think I am going to beg off. I have lots of good excuses. It's windy. I swam this morning. My achilles is aching. Really. Instead I am going to make pea soup, and drink tea and read Lincoln. I have got to make some Lincoln progress. I am still stuck in the 300s. Avoidance, you know? The kids are all down for a quiet time. We have had far too few quiet times this school year. It just seems like there is always something to do...running, cleaning, feeding a baby. But today I am making it a priority.
I got a haircut. My do tends to progress to a mullet after about 8 weeks. Now it is trimmed, and will dry and flip efficiently. The boys also need haircuts. I may actually tackle that after quiet time. I don't mind their hair a bit longer, but it tends to look rather shabby around the ears. And I don't know how to clean up the ears without doing everything. So, everything it is.
And we have been going through enormous amounts of bread here in the Hippie household. Enormous is a slight exaggeration, but I have had to make bread twice a week lately. We are doing 3-4 loaves plus rolls, every week. Wow! And no teenagers yet.
We are under a winter storm watch here in Michigan. It is sounding like March will come in like a lion. Here's to hoping it goes out like a lamb.
Last year's matching dresses.
Also notice the wall color.
I want something less yellow, and more sage green.
I picked out my new projecting fodder today. I am going to sew the girls and I matching Easter dresses. The material has huge pink and purple tulips. That sounds hideous, but is actually quite pretty. I will cut them out this week if I have time. I think they will make up my "Lake Geneva" project this year. I was thinking of painting the living room. But I am pretty sure that will take longer than 4 days. There is a lot of wall, and trim, plus the ceiling needs done too. And we have to take the color up through the upstairs hallway. So, it is a big project. And I don't know that I want to tackle it with four kids running around, and no husband. Sewing is the saner option.
The buffet, facelift and all, in need of a new corner to call home.
I also have an itch...the furniture moving itch. Brian rolls his eyes when I get this gleam in my eye. But, I do come by this itch honestly. My dad rearranges their furniture every spring and fall. I have seen their furniture in so many different arrangements. Besides, I haven't changed the furniture in the living room around in a year or two. The big factors are the piano, and the buffet. They are huge. And I have to place them on walls where they don't block heating vents. It leaves rather limited options. But I am stewing. Most of the big baby gear is gone from the living room now, and that leaves more wiggle room. We'll see what I come up with, via paint chips, Pinterest and so on. While blogging is infinitely more fun than Lincoln, I probably should bite the bullet, and read. Ttfn!
In BSF, we have been studying 2 Corinthians, and we covered the first half last week. I love chapter one. Over and over the words comfort and consolation are mentioned-like 10 times. God is the God of all comfort. He is the source from which comfort originates. All comfort. That's an absolute statement. Comfort is way more than just sympathy or empathy. Comfort, in the Bible, carries with it the connotation of coming alongside in order to strengthen. God, the omnipotent God, comes alongside us in our troubles, trials, heartaches, and hardships, in order to strengthen us. And then He wants us to be like a tiered fountain, and let that comfort spill over from our lives, into someone else's life. Someone else who needs comfort. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves our comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
That is my goal for this blog. I want to come alongside each of my readers. I want to encourage you. Strengthen you. Share my heart, my trials, my weaknesses, and my failings, but also my joys, triumphs, and journey to hopefully help you to keep going. I want offer strength, perspective, and hope. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Did I mention that Meredith loves to swim? (I know I talk a lot about Meredith in my blogs. Its because everything is new with her. I am discovering her personality. I already know my other 3 are smart and good looking.=)) I actually was amazed at how much she liked it. The pool at the hotel was on the cool side. But she loved us holding her under her arms and swimming her around on her belly. Her little legs just kicked and kicked. She has been a kicker since she started moving in my belly. I have high hopes that she might share her mama's love of swimming. And we went to a Griffin's game on Wednesday night. (Meredith's first) It was a great game! I love watching hockey. It is a much faster pace than baseball. Though I like major league baseball games too. I am NOT into the minor leagues at all. Our local farm team does more promotions than ball playing. The Griffins won! But the Hamilton Bulldogs played well. Their goalie was amazing. He kept catching the puck over and over again. I was impressed. We go to a hockey game once a year. The kids earn free tickets through the summer reading program, and we all get to go for the price of parking. Elsie danced to the music spots they played throughout the game. She has got some moves! Ah, the inhibitions (or lack of) of a four year old! The boys are thrilled with the game. Ethan always hopes for a fight, but there weren't any this time. It was a great time. And Meredith's little legs were kicking the whole time there too. I think she also thought it great fun to holler when everyone else was.=)
This week I lost my running motivation. I ran well on Tuesday, but just felt laxidasical on Thursday. Today we were supposed to run nine, but only did four. But, at least we did four. I almost quit at one. I think we are going to squeeze in two fours-tomorrow and Monday. Then get back on our regular schedule on Tuesday. My first race of the year is in just three weeks. I am getting excited. That will keep me motivated. And then we are going to get new shoes after that. Break them in well before our 25k. Today is vacation aftermath. You know what I mean? It's the day you have to do the trip's laundry, plus the laundry you would have done had you been home. And I made bread-also something that was going to happen yesterday. I am wishing for a date with Brian. We have had great family time, but not much couple time. But, we also have a date lined up for next Saturday, so we will probably just soldier on with a home date.
Well, here's some poetry to suit my mood...
The marsh is frozen,
The river dead. Through clouds like ashes The red sun flashes On village windows That glimmer red. The snow recommences; The buried fences Mark no longer The road o'er the plain;
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell
"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields, Seems nowhere to alight: the withered air Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven, And veils the farm-house at the garden's end. The sled and traveler stopped, the courier's feet Delayed, all friends shut out, and housemates sit Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed In a tumultuous privacy of storm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." - Gertrude S. Wister
Winter has returned to Michigan...but its days are numbered. Yes!
Its Friday night, and I haven't blogged since Wednesday morning. Except for weekends, that hasn't happened since the dawn of this new year.
But chalk it up to spontaneity. See, here's the thing. We have been planning a visit the Henry Ford museum. The tentative date was today. Brian's work is still slow, and the visit would tie in nicely with school. We figured that we would just do a day trip. But then we were spontaneous. Which we so rarely are, because spontaneity with 4 kids, one of which is a baby, is just not very smart. You tend to forget very important things. But, all the stars were in alignment, and we took a leap. We had three things planned for last evening that all got postponed. And bad weather was coming in. And we were having visions of being snowed in today, instead of exploring the museum. And disappointment was rampant among the adults. And then we decided to duck out early. We found a cheapish hotel online, threw bathing suits, pajamas, and a change of clothes for all, in the suitcase, and raced the storm to Detroit. (though I am pretty sure Detroit didn't get the snow that came here) And we had a blast.
Meredith likes potatoes, cornbread,
and pea soup.
We pigged out on protein at Famous Dave's. (yes, that was an intended pun=)). We swam last night and this morning. We laughed at Hogan's Heroes, and Tow Mater's Tall Tales. We ate a great breakfast-including design-it-yourself omelets (an Embassy Suites perk). And we explored a very small section of the museum. There is a revamped car exhibit that opened just a month ago. The boys loved it. And we saw trains, including an Allegheny Locomotive that is 72 feet long, and is an absolute beast. We saw the Truman/Eisenhower limousine getting a face lift for a possible trip to England for Queen Elizabeth II 60th anniversary celebration. We looked at old planes, and the kids got to make some neat paper airplanes. It was a great day.
Memories...Meredith kissing the baby in the mirror at floor level. Brian Marcus' belly ache, huge appetite, and swim stroke practice. Ethan loving the planes. He is big into flight. And Elsie thrilled with the locomotive. She kept wanting to go back and climb it again.
We purchased the annual family pass, and we will be making more trips back. There is a progression of "liberty" exhibit from the Declaration of Independence through Rosa Parks. I can't wait to dig into that. And there is the whole Greenfield Village to explore come spring.
The boys thought (for some unknown reason) that it would be fun to pretend to snort Dr. Pepper up their noses. I hate to say it, but I think they get that weirdness from my side-though not from ME.
Elsie with her pigtails, and coloring sheet.
Me and my Happy Girl
All set to swim
The Duesenberg.
The Bulgari in the collection. Only $30,000...before WWII.
But for now it's, "Home again, home again, jiggety-jig-jig."
WWoW 2/22/12 Fulsome (full-sum) adjective- Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech. Complimentary or flattery to an excessive degree. Of large size or quantity, generous or abundant. She was almost embarrassingly fulsome in her appreciation.
Origin: Middle English compound of ful "full" + som "some". Sense evolved from "abundant, full" (c.1250) to "plump, well-fed" (c.1350) to "overgrown, overfed" (c. 1642) and thus of language, "offensive to taste or good manners" (1663). Since the 1960s, however, it commonly has been used in its original, favorable sense, especially in fulsome praise.
I think that the course "fulsome" has run is very interesting, don't you? Positive, negative, over the top, then back to positive. It ran from being abundantly satisfied, to Biggest Loser contestant status. It started by almost referring to food, transitioning over time to an almost exclusive speech or behavior description. Anyway, I think we should aspire to let our praise of God, our spouse and our children be fulsome. You can't go too far over board. But "smarmy" is also a synonym, so the balance may be in the sincerity of our praise and appreciation.
This was my creative project last week. I borrowed the idea off Pinterest. They used the picture frame and dry erase idea for daily listing reasons you love someone. I adapted it.=) I have it hanging in our back entry way so we can be reminded of our word as we go up and down the stairs, in and out the door, and to and from the bathroom. Hopefully it won't grow to be a fulsome sight.=)
1 Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a food processor, process butter and one-third of coconut until mixture forms a ball, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Sprinkle remaining two-thirds coconut over mixture and combine with your fingers.
2 Place a 9-inch pie plate on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Press coconut mixture into bottom and up sides of pan to form crust, leaving top edges loose and fluffy. Place a foil ring over edge to prevent burning. Bake until center begins to brown, 10 to 15 minutes; remove foil and bake until edges are browned, 4 to 5 minutes more. Transfer crust to a wire rack to cool completely.
3 Make the filling: Bring cream just to a boil in a small saucepan; pour over chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is combined. Pour into coconut crust. Refrigerate until filling is set, 1 hour or up to 1 day.
Thanks, Martha....(Stewart)!
I am also making the coq au vin recipe that was a big hit a week or two ago. We all liked it. So I am going to get it cooking in my crock pot, and then vacuum and dust my house. I think dinner with be great...coq au vin, mashed potatoes, crispy french bread, lettuce salad, and coconut pie. Hmmm...
No Tuesday Heartbreak here. Just a new Tuesday recipe to fall in love with.
Have you seen those montages of six photos cropping up on FB? The what everyone thinks we do, what I think we do, what we really do, ones? They seem to be really popular right now.
Anyway...some are more funny than others. I personally liked the home schooling one.
A popular blog/FB topic also is "10 things." Well, having recently been pregnant, and having lots of friends in the same boat, this is MY list of 10 Things You NEVER Say to a Pregnant Woman (in no particular order)
1. Is this your first baby? I don't know why, but this one always irritates me. Like being pregnant is awesome if its number one, but you must be insane if it happens to be more than your first.
2. Are you having twins?Are you sure you're not? Seriously?! Just come right out and say they look like a fat cow. Plus it also implies that you must be an idiot, as well as your care taker, if you haven't discovered that lurking second baby.
3. Wow! You must have your hands full! Doesn't everyone?
4. Four! (or 3, or 5, or...) Was this a surprise? Three kids does not constitute a big family. Six kids isn't even a big family. 11/12-that's a big family. And I said "big", not "too big." Surprise or not-its none of your business.
5. Go ahead, you're eating for 2! I don't want to look like I ate for two. And what is your excuse?
6. You're still here? Yes, I am! I'm not due for another month. I will be walking through these doors many more times.
7. You must be so uncomfortable. Yes, I am. Thanks for asking. But I'll survive. Do I really look that bad?
8. My labor was forever...Leave the note comparing until after.
9. Can I rub your belly? I don't know...can I rub yours? It is not a good luck charm.
10. Do you know what you are having?No, I have chosen not to find out. Or I just don't want to say. And please don't speculate by the size of my rear.
Btw, this is not an announcement. At all. My baby is just 8 months (today), and this is all still fresh in my mind. I have gotten bigger with each successive child. There is nothing cute or radiant about me.
As a matter of fact, I was over 8 months pregnant with LC when my sil got married. There was a family picture taken. For some reason I was in the front row, and there is a profile shot of me. Its not one of those sweet pictures people post. I look huge (bc I was huge). And you couldn't just photoshop me out, because you'd lose 50% of the picture.
So, if you are a guy, stick to positive words. "Radiant, brilliant, cute, and good" are all appropriate adjectives. If you are a woman and were pregnant before, remember the golden rule. Would/did you like someone saying the same thing to you?
I will admit that pregnant women are rampant with hormones, and take even more things wrong. But, if you can't say something nice (or what the other person would think as nice) don't say anything at all.
I remember a funny RD story. A doctor was giving a woman an ultrasound and complimented the nice whale tattoo on her belly.
Meredith will not eat baby food, but she loves chicken curry.
But this weekend was great. It was a nice mix of quiet and activity, friends, and family. There were moments of beauty...like driving on I-196 heading east at dusk, and seeing the last light of day reflected in all the tall glass buildings on the GR horizon. Breath-taking. It made me glad to live here. It made me wish I was a great photographer. There were moments of incredible stinky-ness. Has anyone else noticed that the skunks have not gotten the message that it is still winter? They are all over the place! There were moments of laughter...when Brian Marcus, in all seriousness, told me he was going to be an olympian when he grows up. Every two years. And he is going to be a tailor on his off time. Make his own clothes. I didn't laugh until later. I promise. I did encourage him that he would have to get working on a sport. Oh yes, and Elsie snorting, and telling me she does that when her "snot is on the move." Seriously? Where does she even come up with these things? There were goal reaching moments. Brian and I ran 9 miles yesterday. Well, to be perfectly honest...we ran probably 8 of those miles, and walked one. But we did it. Onward and upward. And there was recuperative shopping moments. I took off to the mall. I haven't been to the mall in quite a while. But I needed to find a new pair of jeans, and I just was really wanting some time. By myself. No shopping with a gaggle of kids in tow. Asking when are we going home. Complaining of hurting feet.... I ended up going with my shopper girl, Elsie. And only Elsie. She loves to shop, and a bribed her with a carousel ride. We had fun. We spent about 4 hours walking around Hobby Lobby, Penny's, Christopher and Banks, and Old Navy. We took a short bagel break, and then got back to business. I found a decently long pair of jeans. My old, comfortable ones were barely staying up, were frayed on the edges, and has a hole in the knee. Now I get to break this new pair in. I really don't like shopping for pants. Why can't women's pants be standard like men's? It would so much easier. But now you have the choice of city, modern, flare, diva, skinny, and, and, and.... And a size 10 in one brand is like a size 20 in another brand or cut. You can't just pick your favorite. You have to try on 20 pairs and hopefully find one that fits. Pant shopping is second only to lingerie shopping. I won't get into the frustrations of that. If your are a girl, you know exactly what I mean. If you are a guy-thank your lucky stars. There were Pinterest application moments.=) Some of the ideas I "pin" are just dreams. But usually if I pin them, I have some idea of how I am going to adapt the idea. One cheap idea I adapted this weekend, was dressing up our buffet. I bought new knobs. The old ones have been broken for years. All knobs were 50% off at Hobby Lobby this week. That really brought them into an affordable range. I bought 5. Now I can get to my dishes and drawers by just pulling on the knob. I don't have to leave one door cracked open, or pry it open with a butter knife, or push the drawer open from the inside bottom. Convenience.=) I also purchased black metal letters to hang on the knobs. I bought our monogram-BVB. It looks pretty neat. And was a cheap fix.
Not only did I give my buffet a face lift, I also bought a new lamp, and two new shades. And I did some lamp rearranging. We had a silver lamp in our living room behind my rocker that blinded anyone looking at the person sitting in the rocker. I moved that lamp to the basement for sewing, then replaced in with my bedroom floor lamp. And I replaced that lamp's presence in our room, with my HL steal. I got a $100 lamp for $20. And it is a really sweet lamp. Its colors fit perfectly with my bedroom color scheme. It has a light green shade, with beads hanging down from this metal flower thing. And I love handy-dangly things. Every room comes out ahead.=)
upgraded buffet
There was the best moment...coming home from shopping to a dinner made by Brian. That was such a blessing. And it made my afternoon really nice, to not have to worry about getting back in time to make dinner. Between dinner and feeding Meredith, shopping would not have happened. Thank you, Babe!
As we finish another week, and embark on another weekend, here are two videos for your viewing pleasure. I promise a side splitting chuckle on the first, and a need for a kleenex on the second.
A laugh
Inspiration for when the going gets tough.
It brought tears to my eyes.
Triumph...courage...inspiration...love...strength. How dare I ever say, "can't"?
Again I say with a sigh, "the best laid plans of mice and men..."
Happy camper, despite everything.
On Valentine's Day I decided I would get in the spirit of things, and make sugar cookies. Easy, right? Well, I had nowhere near enough shortening for the cookies, and I always make them with shortening. I decided to substitute butter. It worked. Then I had everything mixing nicely, and was ready to add the baking powder, but alas, I had nowhere near enough baking powder either. I borrowed some from my handy borrowing source down the block. Then I went to get out my red colored sugar. No red. Lots of green. No red. No red food coloring either. I ended up with heart shaped cookies made out of a stretchy (go figure?) dough, frosted with white frosting, and decorated with nonpareils. At least they were homemade.
This morning I went to changed Meredith's diaper, and her tummy is covered with a red-spotty rash. Yes, I am pretty sure it is chicken pox. I have no idea where she, of all my kids, got them. She never goes out amongst others, except for church. We knew someone who had them almost 6 weeks ago now. And I had something that looked a bit shingly, around Christmas. But, that was then. This is now. And I just am puzzled. If it was one of my other kids, I would suspect BSF, church, or Bible club. Not Meredith. Needless to say, I think this week is going to go down in infamy for her. Her first tooth, learning how to crawl, and now the chicken pox. She doesn't get the idea of pacing herself. Spacing out all that excitement. I do have to admit that I am glad that the chicken pox have finally arrived in the Veenstra household. I am one of the few people who think a chicken pox vaccine is overkill. No vaccine, and no chicken pox. The prominence of the vaccine has virtually eliminated outbreaks. But, BMV is 9 now, and I really don't want him to break out much older. This is a blessing. And its making me itch by proxy.=)
So true. Though, its just a far fetched wish...
to sleep all day.
I have chicken curry bubbling in the crock pot. I am really a fan of my crockpot. I think this is at least the second, if not third time, I have used it this week. I love crock pot meals because you can get a nice dinner started when you have time. It cuts down on all the rush right at meal time. That is helpful too, because when you are nursing a baby, they tend to want to eat at the most inopportune times. I also like the fact that you can do a meal in a crock pot, low and slow, for 8-10 hours, or high, for 3-4 hours. Maybe you don't have time to put something together by 9:00 in the morning, but you have a free moment (like me) right after lunch. Very convenient, and flexible.
This is my book.
Probably the best $6 I've ever spent.
I have some more paperwork to do this afternoon. Thankfully, not tax related. Then I am going to snuggle up with a good book. I am still working through Lincoln and Boundaries, but I am also reading a book on Jacquetta, grandmother of Elizabeth, Henry VII's wife. It has been a great read, and a good break from all the heavy stuff. I love history, and really enjoy books on the English monarchs. Their line is such a tangle, it is mind boggling. Brian has suggested that I take up the English monarchs after the American presidents. This is not an apple to apple exchange. Its more like apple to apple orchard. My favorite resource for the monarchy is a booklet we bought at the Tower of London. It is a series of family trees, and lines of succession. Wow. I think the most complicated period would be from Henry II to Henry VII. The whole York-Lancaster thing. John of Gaunt. France. A huge tangled knot. And so very interesting. The funny thing also is, at the Tower of London, there is a gallery of throne-ish chairs carved with each monarch's name, one chair per monarch, arranged all in order. In that room it seems so simple and comprehensible. Ha! Anyway, every time I read one of my monarchy books, I sit with this booklet in hand looking up who is who, and who is related or married to who. Fascinating! Jacquetta was from France, married a Duke (brother to Henry V). This duke died, and she remarried, to her squire. They had over a dozen children. They were connected to the house of Lancaster, and ended up serving Henry VI, and his wife, Queen Margaret. Henry VI is the crazy, pious king. He ended up being murdered by the York bros while he was at prayers, imprisoned in the Tower. This Jacquetta was a fairly important player, but it was through her daughter Elizabeth's marriage to Edward IV, (son of Richard, Duke of York) and her child Elizabeth, that Jacquetta's place in history was solidified. And you have the "red queen" and the "white queen". The female players in a fairly male dominated drama. But without the women, kingly claims would have been tenuous, or nonexistent. Without women, there would be no line. Henry VIII wanted a male heir so that the 100 year's war wouldn't be repeated. And he got one (a whole other story), but he was succeeded by two daughters. And Elizabeth I is still considered one of England's best and most loved monarchs. And for the record, I am really hoping that Elizabeth II beats out Queen Victoria's record length reign. Long live the Queen!=)
So, how did I start with sugar cookies, and end up with Queen Elizabeth. I have no idea. But... Its all right for you to have a train of thought, as long as you have a terminal.
WWoW 2/15/12 alacrity-(a-lack-ri-tee) noun-liveliness and eagerness. Brisk and cheerful readiness. My kids rarely attack their chores with alacrity. Origin: around 1510, from the Latin, alactitatem-"liveliness"... from alacer, "cheerful, brisk, lively". Also has roots in Goth-aljan "zeal", Old English-ellen, and Old High German-ellian. (the name Ellen must have its roots in a alacritous child.=)) Alacritous is showing alacrity, or eagerness.
There was actually a British Type 21 Frigate named the HMS Alacrity. She was set to sea in 1982, and decommissioned in 1994. She is now owned by the Pakistanis. Just a bit of trivia.
Instead of urging people to look or step lively, how about urge them to look/step with alacrity?=)
It's February 14. Happy Valentine's Day! We're all about hearts and red here in the Hippie household. Actually, we're not.
the day after our half marathon. Not walking too good,
but still smiling.
This is the 12th Valentine's Day Mr. Hippie and I have been together. Our first Valentine's Day was the one we were engaged. I cannot remember what I gave Mr. Hippie. I do remember what he gave me. He gave me a ruby heart pendant necklace. And chocolate kisses. Chocolate because he wasn't really kissing me at the point in the ball game. It was a euphemistic way to let me know that he wanted to though.=) And he gave me carnations. He is a frugal Dutchman after all, and didn't want to cough up the money for those expensive roses. But it was young love, and I didn't mind. As a matter of fact, I'm still okay with carnations. I mean, have you seen the price of roses around Valentine's day?! And he gave me a little stuffed bear.
I made these Saturday.
Cute, but none lasted
until today.=)
But, that Valentine's Day was an exception to the Hippie rule...
Our relationship even started out with a near miss. Mr. Hippie asked my dad if he could court me...the week AFTER Valentine's day-the year 2000. I think that started a precedent.=)
We have spent two of our Valentine's Days flying home from Europe. Enforced time together. Not too terribly romantic. And not very good food.
Our fourth Valentine's was preceded 8 days previous by the birth of a baby. Needless to say, we didn't really whoop that one up.
I have catered a sweetheart's banquet on a Valentine's day. I think that was #3.
I can't remember any other ones. It just has not been one of our most celebrated, or emphasized holiday.
Last year, I actually had grand plans. We'd eat red food, decorate sugar cookies, and make Valentine's for each other. I went to Meijer at 6:00 a.m., after swimming, and arrived home to sick kids. We spent last Valentine's Day, all of us down with the flu. Happy Valentine's Day...
I get bigger and smaller. He is the constant.=)
This year, everyone is healthy, we have a supply of chocolate on hand, and we are making sugar cookies and valentines. But, Mr. Hippie and the boys have BSF tonight, and the girl contingent is going to the bff's for dinner. My valentine time with my Valentine was spent this morning pounding out 6 miles of snow covered pavement.
at the BFF's wedding
So, while it has been hit and miss as far as Valentine's celebration goes, I want to let the world know, that it isn't hit and miss as far as our love goes. We have had rough patches, but I can honestly say, that I love my man more today that ever before. Mr. Hippie is everything to me. He is my partner, my head, my best friend, my love, my heart. Our favorite thing is to be together...drinking coffee, talking, running, serving, parenting, shooting. He is my better half. My only half. He has made me a better person. He completes me. And I am grateful everyday that God brought us together.
one of my favorite pictures of the two of us
Our "song" is the duet, Unforgettable, by Nat King Cole, and his daughter Natalie Cole. I love this song. And, btw, Nate King Cole is my most favorite male singer. His voice is amazing. His talent spans many genres.
probably my second favorite
picture of the two of us.
Unforgettable That's what you are, Unforgettable Tho' near or far.
Like a song of love that clings to me, How the thought of you does things to me. Never before Has someone been more...
Unforgettable In every way, And forever more That's how you'll stay.
That's why, darling, it's incredible That someone so unforgettable Thinks that I am Unforgettable, too.
Unforgettable In every way, And forever more That's how you'll stay.
That's why, darling, it's incredible That someone so unforgettable Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.
Happy Valentine's Day!
To my Unforgettable Valentine! I Love You, Babe. SO much.
My baby...is crawling, and her first tooth has poked through! What is happening? Meres will be 8 months in a week. I can't believe how the time has flown. She now follows me around, tapping my legs to get me to pick her up. And while her tooth is just breaking through, soon she will have that cute, and sharp, toothy baby grin. It makes me nostalgic to see the days passing so very quickly.
part of the younger crowd
We had a wonderful weekend. Saturday we had a passel of friends over for a wing night. It was Brian's idea...invite our friends who like wings or like to cook, and we'll see what we end up with. He adapted the name from Buffalo Wild Wings (Veenstra Wild Wings-VW3s), and I did the rest.=) We invited 20 adults, and 15 (eating) kids, plus 3 non-eaters. And our house was bursting at the seams. I think 15 adults came, and almost 15 kids. It was chaotic, and great fun.
Each couple was responsible to bring 4 pounds of any kind of wings, plus a side or dessert. We ended up with 7 or more types of wings. There were Asian zing, lemon wings, sticky wings, Frank's red hot, deep fried, honey barbecue, teriyaki, and others. (I can't remember what the Henning's exact contribution was-I should have saved the cards-but I know I liked them) Everything was amazing! I think that the deep fried wings were the hottest, though the Asian zing wings had a bite too. Mine had a bit of cayenne, but they were actually pretty mild. I enjoyed the lemon ones. They had great flavor, and were unique amongst the offerings.
Casey made an unbelievable pico de gallo. It had avocado, corn, beans, and tomatoes, among other things. It was fresh, and delicious! Brian and I put together some jalapeno poppers. We had tried this recipe for Christmas. It has fresh cilantro, monterey jack cheese, bacon and cumin. Easy and flavorful.
Of course, it being a Hippie get together and all, there were several great desserts also. There was a chocolate cheesecake, a chocolate lady finger dessert, cupcakes, sweet bread, toffee, and these cool pretzel/hug/m&m things I found on Pinterest.
The original plan was to eat, and then haul out some games. But everyone got talking, and it was just too chaotic. The evening evolved on its own, and we came away thinking that we have got to have more times together with our friends. Good Christian fellowship is essential. Down times-when we can talk, and encourage each other about life, parenting, old memories, and the future. There was laughter, and stories, and new memories forged. And, I also have to say, that it is really nice to have a group of friends that enjoy cooking, and good food like me.=) Honesty...it's good for the soul.=)
Sticky Wings
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp minced or chopped fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
4 pounds chicken wings
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup tomato paste
salt and pepper
-Stir 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and 1/4 tsp cayenne in slow cooker. Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to slow cooker, and toss to coat.
-Cover and cook until chicken is tender, about 4 hours on low.
-Heat broiler to high. Place wire rack in aluminum foil lined baking sheet, and spray with cooking spray. Transfer chicken to prepared baking sheet. Discard braising liquid.
-Combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar, water, tomato paste, remaining 3 Tbsp of soy sauce, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne in a bowl.
-Brush chicken with half the mixture, and broil until lightly charred and crisp, 10-15 minutes.
-Turn chicken, coat with remaining sauce and return to broiler until lightly charred and crisp on second side, 5-10 minutes. Serve.
Btw, who woulda thunk that there are multiple chicken wing songs. Unbelievable! Inconceivable!=)
A couple days ago, February 8, to be exact, the kids and I had finished our daily reading of Proverbs. I always ask the kids to share a verse that stuck out to them. Freckles shared something about wisdom, and then said, "I don't want to spoil it, but chapter nine..." and then he shared what chapter 9 said about wisdom. I thought it was the funniest thing. Like none of us had read chapter 9 before.=)
Yesterday I conquered the beast of tax paperwork that had been robbing my peace. I am glad it is done for the year. I don't know why I procrastinated this long. I guess I just don't like paperwork at all, and I will do just about anything else to avoid it. The bff shared a motivational quote that got me moving, "Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There's nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task" -William James. Now maybe I can stay ahead of the game by fulfilling my new year's resolution, and do my paperwork every month.
Well, this barefoot hippie went "green" last night. Like I've stated before, I am not about the green agenda. And I'm still not. But I am about green food.=) I try to eat greens everyday-spinach, lettuce, beans, broccoli, asparagus. And, last night, we had a family favorite...green noodles. Green noodles are any form of pasta with pesto. Pesto originated in Genova. It is traditionally made with a mortar and pestle, thus the name. In the summer, I make pesto with fresh basil from my garden. In the winter, I make a spinach pesto. And I use a blender, not a mortar and pestle. Even my non-spinach eater loves green noodles. She just gobbles them up by the plate full. This is a very quick meal. Start to finish, it takes as long as it takes to cook the pasta, 25-30 minutes. The chicken and pesto and pasta can be made simultaneously. So, here is the recipe...in plenty of time for St. Patrick's Day.
Green Noodles
1. Boil salted water and cook 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape. Drain, but reserve 1/4 c pasta water.
Pulse in blender until smooth. Makes 1-1/2 to 2 cups of pesto. Use half for green noodles, and freeze the rest for later. (chicken pesto pizza is great too)
4. Mix together pasta, chicken, pesto, and enough pasta water for nice consistency.
5. Serve with more parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
*Serves 4-6
I put everything in the bottom, and pack the spinach on top.
I used 4 smallish chicken breasts,
less than my family would normally eat in a given meal.
saute'
pulsed pesto
Still a lot of liquid. I let it all cook up, and brown the meat a bit.
Add salt and pepper a minute or two before the chicken is done.
boiling penne
a pot of psychedelic greenness
It is definitely green, but oh so good! And good for you!
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