Yep - a short year ago I was resolving to continue my intense dislike for TO and all things Dallas/Texas related. While frivolous at best, that was a resolution that I was able to keep all year. This year maybe I will work on something a little more substantive.
These are in no particular order just in case you were wondering.
Have more patience with the people who disagree with me. I am so busy thinking, "Will you please just hurry and see it my way!" that I am not truly listening to what the other person is trying to tell me. Who knows, I might change my mind (then again, I might start to like Dallas too).
Quit joining groups/clubs/things and then be resentful of the time they take. Either be all in or all out.
Take a trip with my sistah. The last time we took a trip together it was in the back of a Ford station wagon on the way to Colorado Springs. Maybe Santa Fe or some artsy fun place (and I know she loves Santa Fe!) Hope you think this is a good one, Dawn, since if you don't it is really going to mess with the success of this one!
Lobby for a Sonic Drive-In to be built within a 25 mile radius of my home. This is a purely humanitarian effort to make the lives of the people in my community better.
Continue my obsessive love of shoes - it's good to have one you know you can slam dunk.
Others that are between me and God for now. Those are the really important ones...and the ones that will take all His help to keep.
Blessings in the New Year. I love all of you!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Excitement
For those of you who have missed the tales of Midnight Mass, let me just give you a few highlights:
The eggnogs were a hit! We named one the virgin eggnog and the other the trollop eggnog. If you have read the posted recipes then you completely understand.
Betty should have had a shot of something prior to the service - perhaps it would have prevented her from passing out in the front row and completely throwing her husbands game off as he tried to preside over the service.
The Advent Wreath is not safe close to the choir. Or maybe the choir is not safe close the the Advent Wreath. My hair is a little singed and my ear a little tender from being too close to week two's candle.
Again with the Advent Wreath and the Choir: Helen's sleeve proved to be made of completely flameable material. Fortunately, Bill was there to smother it. Thank God he did not breathe on it because he had discovered the trollop eggnog at the reception prior to the service. It wasn't really flaming, just seriously smoking which was enough to freak us all out!
In spite of the excitement, the service was lovely. There were french horns and violins in addition to the choir and it was great fun to have all of that when "Joy to the World" was sung as the recessional.
Hope your Christmas was fun!
The eggnogs were a hit! We named one the virgin eggnog and the other the trollop eggnog. If you have read the posted recipes then you completely understand.
Betty should have had a shot of something prior to the service - perhaps it would have prevented her from passing out in the front row and completely throwing her husbands game off as he tried to preside over the service.
The Advent Wreath is not safe close to the choir. Or maybe the choir is not safe close the the Advent Wreath. My hair is a little singed and my ear a little tender from being too close to week two's candle.
Again with the Advent Wreath and the Choir: Helen's sleeve proved to be made of completely flameable material. Fortunately, Bill was there to smother it. Thank God he did not breathe on it because he had discovered the trollop eggnog at the reception prior to the service. It wasn't really flaming, just seriously smoking which was enough to freak us all out!
In spite of the excitement, the service was lovely. There were french horns and violins in addition to the choir and it was great fun to have all of that when "Joy to the World" was sung as the recessional.
Hope your Christmas was fun!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Only one week left
You thought this was a shameless plug for my birthday didn't you. How crass.....
One week until we talk about the ubiquitous New Years resolutions.
One week until we talk about the ubiquitous New Years resolutions.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
DC and Old Durham Church
The National Christmas Tree. While it was cool to see it in person, I was somewhat under-whelmed. I guess I expected George and Laura to be standing on top of it waving to us as we passed by. They weren't. Bummer,
Here is our little church's front doors. I have a somewhat burning desire to paint them red every time I walk up the path.
This is the window I look out while I sit in the choir. I like the ever-changing view with the seasons.
The church was decorated for Christmas even though it is only the fourth Sunday in Advent. At least there is no baby Jesus in the manger. I would have to protest loud and long.
Good Nog - Bad Nog
UpdateGranny's no-fat- no sugar version is amazing! I am never buying the stuff in a carton again! And I suppose you could add the real "nog" if you wanted to.
In the interest of playing fair, I am posting both recipes for Egg Nog. The first recipe is from Granny, the second from a nice lady in Bartlesville Oklahoma named Mary Martin. No - not the one of South Pacific and Peter Pan fame - although how cool would that be?
Guilt Free Egg Nog - Fat Free, Sugar Free
In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups skim milk with 1 -ounce package instant sugar free vanilla pudding mix.
Stir well until thickened.
Add 2 more cups skim milk and 1 cup egg substitute (like Egg Beaters); mix well.
Stir in 2 to 3 teaspoons rum extract. 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until the mixture is well blended, smooth, and coats a spoon.
Refrigerate over night . Serves 10
Cook's note: Add Splenda to taste if you like a sweeter nog. If it thickens too much, simply stir in more skim milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Enjoy
When I have egg nog I always think of Grandma, she loved it! And she always wanted a little "Nog", its the only alcoholic thing she ever drank. We always used Brandy instead of Rum - but its good either way.
Staats Ranch Egg Nog - Full of sugar, fat, and booze
2 quarts milk
6 eggs, separated
3 cups sugar
12 ounces bourbon
6 ounces rum
1 1/2 quarts whipping cream
Beat egg yolks until thick. Add bourbon and rum very slowly in a thin steady stream. Stir in sugar. In a different bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until tiff. Fold whites into yolk mixture and stir until smooth. Add milk. Whip the cream and fold in. Refrigerate 24 hours to ripen and thicken. Stir before serving and sprinkle with nutmeg.
I think Grandma would have liked this recipe. Certainly plenty of "Nog" in there!
I am taking both recipes to the Vestry hosted Pre-Christmas Eve party at the request of Fr. David.
Coming soon: Pictures of the National Christmas Tree taken yesterday on our twirl through DC!
In the interest of playing fair, I am posting both recipes for Egg Nog. The first recipe is from Granny, the second from a nice lady in Bartlesville Oklahoma named Mary Martin. No - not the one of South Pacific and Peter Pan fame - although how cool would that be?
Guilt Free Egg Nog - Fat Free, Sugar Free
In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups skim milk with 1 -ounce package instant sugar free vanilla pudding mix.
Stir well until thickened.
Add 2 more cups skim milk and 1 cup egg substitute (like Egg Beaters); mix well.
Stir in 2 to 3 teaspoons rum extract. 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until the mixture is well blended, smooth, and coats a spoon.
Refrigerate over night . Serves 10
Cook's note: Add Splenda to taste if you like a sweeter nog. If it thickens too much, simply stir in more skim milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Enjoy
When I have egg nog I always think of Grandma, she loved it! And she always wanted a little "Nog", its the only alcoholic thing she ever drank. We always used Brandy instead of Rum - but its good either way.
Staats Ranch Egg Nog - Full of sugar, fat, and booze
2 quarts milk
6 eggs, separated
3 cups sugar
12 ounces bourbon
6 ounces rum
1 1/2 quarts whipping cream
Beat egg yolks until thick. Add bourbon and rum very slowly in a thin steady stream. Stir in sugar. In a different bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until tiff. Fold whites into yolk mixture and stir until smooth. Add milk. Whip the cream and fold in. Refrigerate 24 hours to ripen and thicken. Stir before serving and sprinkle with nutmeg.
I think Grandma would have liked this recipe. Certainly plenty of "Nog" in there!
I am taking both recipes to the Vestry hosted Pre-Christmas Eve party at the request of Fr. David.
Coming soon: Pictures of the National Christmas Tree taken yesterday on our twirl through DC!
Friday, December 21, 2007
My friend Sharon
This is my friend Sharon who makes me laugh so hard I cannot breathe. I look crazed and confused (what's new) in this pic. She said she felt like this was our prom pic and that nearly did me in!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
In the Spirit
Today at work we received a huge bag of handmade pillows and a box of kids books. The mentally disabled adults at the center next door to us made the pillows and picked the books so kids who come for sexual abuse treatment can have a pillow and a book.
Kinda made be feel like a big ol' schmuck and a huge ingrate.
Kinda made be feel like a big ol' schmuck and a huge ingrate.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
How beautiful
How beautiful...
on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7
on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7
Monday, December 10, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Another Mimi I know
I have a friend named Cookie who is also a "Mimi." She has a little grandson named Zach who is a scream!
Zach is 6 and has difficulty not talking during school. So, his Mimi decided to bribe him into being quiet during class....with the promise of a chinchilla.
Zach has done very well keeping quiet since the bribe started. To the point that his Mimi is now on the hunt for a brown chinchilla. It cannot be gray - it must be brown. She was in my office today and we were hunting on the internet for a brown chinchilla in our area (she is the Chairman of the Board of Directors - I'm safe hunting for stuff on the internet for her).
We finally found one 2 hours away so she is off to pick it up for Zach's Christmas present/bribe. Oh, and Zach has named his chinchilla to be Vanilla.
Vanilla Chinchilla.
Two Mimis in my office laughed their fool heads off at that one.
Zach is 6 and has difficulty not talking during school. So, his Mimi decided to bribe him into being quiet during class....with the promise of a chinchilla.
Zach has done very well keeping quiet since the bribe started. To the point that his Mimi is now on the hunt for a brown chinchilla. It cannot be gray - it must be brown. She was in my office today and we were hunting on the internet for a brown chinchilla in our area (she is the Chairman of the Board of Directors - I'm safe hunting for stuff on the internet for her).
We finally found one 2 hours away so she is off to pick it up for Zach's Christmas present/bribe. Oh, and Zach has named his chinchilla to be Vanilla.
Vanilla Chinchilla.
Two Mimis in my office laughed their fool heads off at that one.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Some Children See Him
Some children see Him lily white,
the baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
with tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
with dark and heavy hair.
Some children see Him almond-eyed,
this Savior whom we kneel beside.
some children see Him almond-eyed,
with skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they,
sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
and, ah! they love Him, too!
The children in each different place
will see the baby Jesus' face
like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
and filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering,
come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!
the baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
with tresses soft and fair.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
with dark and heavy hair.
Some children see Him almond-eyed,
this Savior whom we kneel beside.
some children see Him almond-eyed,
with skin of yellow hue.
Some children see Him dark as they,
sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
and, ah! they love Him, too!
The children in each different place
will see the baby Jesus' face
like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
and filled with holy light.
O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering,
come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!
Monday, December 03, 2007
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