Check out this catchy little ditty from the Primordial Penguins.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Strength in Weakness
Earlier this week I visited a friend who had been in a car accident in Honduras in November. She has 10 fractured vertebrae and has to be in a plastic splint that covers her entire mid-section – chest to hips. Her trunk rotation/mobility is highly limited and she is not supposed lift anything, making most general activities difficult or impossible..
This gal had been a very self-sufficient woman, living on her own, working for Blue Cross and teaching Zumba. Now she has not been able to work or teach Zumba since November and has had to have help with activities we take for granted. She was telling me how much help she has had to receive over these months and how humbling that has been for her.
It struck me that she has to be a very strong person to actually even accept that help. Regardless of whether it was financial or with general hygiene, she has had to decide if she wanted to submit to others assisting her. And it is indeed a decision. In reality, she has had to exercise more strength since being weaker than before the accident when she was physically stronger.
This epiphany reminded me of my husband. Philip has had to exercise said strength for years now. As a result, his character is to be admired. Philip recently quoted a professor’s definition of patience as the combination of self-control, humility and generosity. My husband exhibits mastery of patience.
I often tell people what a strong man Philip is. The temporary example of the friend I mentioned is the constant example of my husband. This strength has crafted him into a most excellent man. Every one should be as fortunate as me.
This gal had been a very self-sufficient woman, living on her own, working for Blue Cross and teaching Zumba. Now she has not been able to work or teach Zumba since November and has had to have help with activities we take for granted. She was telling me how much help she has had to receive over these months and how humbling that has been for her.
It struck me that she has to be a very strong person to actually even accept that help. Regardless of whether it was financial or with general hygiene, she has had to decide if she wanted to submit to others assisting her. And it is indeed a decision. In reality, she has had to exercise more strength since being weaker than before the accident when she was physically stronger.
This epiphany reminded me of my husband. Philip has had to exercise said strength for years now. As a result, his character is to be admired. Philip recently quoted a professor’s definition of patience as the combination of self-control, humility and generosity. My husband exhibits mastery of patience.
I often tell people what a strong man Philip is. The temporary example of the friend I mentioned is the constant example of my husband. This strength has crafted him into a most excellent man. Every one should be as fortunate as me.
Friday, January 6, 2012
You wanna cracker, Papa?
Anastasia: Papa, you wanna cracker?
Philip: I don't want one, Anastasia.
Anastasia: You want 2 crackers, Papa?
Philip: I don't want one, Anastasia.
Anastasia: You want 2 crackers, Papa?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
You like Jesus' blood, Papa?
A couple of weeks ago, we let Anastasia sit through almost an entire church service with us.
Unfortuanately, we only had 1 instead of 2 chairs removed for handicap accessibility. So, Philip was kinda squished in a space too small for a wheelchair.
During the sermon, I thought Anastasia was being a bit loud and wanted to take her out. That resulted in more noise, but also an inconvenience to the person sitting behind Philip. Ie, he had a wheelchair rolling into him so we could get by. So, when Anastasia and I came back in, we sat in the seats immediately in front of Philip.
We took the Lord's Supper at the end of the service - and I was very excited about explaining to her what we were doing. As the bread came around, I told her, "Anastasia this is Jesus's body." Then as we were about to drink the 'wine', I told her, "We're drinking Jesus's blood." Anastasia wanted to put my cup in the little slot in the chair/pew in front of me and then went to collect Philip's cup as well.
As she walked around my chair to his, Anastasia asked, with her high little voice and head inquisitively cocked to the side, "You like Jesus' blood, Papa?" My heart warmed. Though it's unlikely she comprehended what we were doing, she heard me. That's a moment I will cherish until him we worship returns.
Unfortuanately, we only had 1 instead of 2 chairs removed for handicap accessibility. So, Philip was kinda squished in a space too small for a wheelchair.
During the sermon, I thought Anastasia was being a bit loud and wanted to take her out. That resulted in more noise, but also an inconvenience to the person sitting behind Philip. Ie, he had a wheelchair rolling into him so we could get by. So, when Anastasia and I came back in, we sat in the seats immediately in front of Philip.
We took the Lord's Supper at the end of the service - and I was very excited about explaining to her what we were doing. As the bread came around, I told her, "Anastasia this is Jesus's body." Then as we were about to drink the 'wine', I told her, "We're drinking Jesus's blood." Anastasia wanted to put my cup in the little slot in the chair/pew in front of me and then went to collect Philip's cup as well.
As she walked around my chair to his, Anastasia asked, with her high little voice and head inquisitively cocked to the side, "You like Jesus' blood, Papa?" My heart warmed. Though it's unlikely she comprehended what we were doing, she heard me. That's a moment I will cherish until him we worship returns.
Friday, November 11, 2011
25 Ways to Wear a Scarf
25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in less than 5 minutes. This video is fabulous! As the weather cools down, a scarf is a fantastic accessory. It's fashionable and practical.
Which style is your favorite?
Which style is your favorite?
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tear Here to Create Memories
It's somewhat hard to tell, but the bag of mini-chocolate cookies says, "Tear here to create memories."
I was making Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe follows) for the first time. It was in a cookbook that I bought in the checkout line at the grocery store - I see one dynamite looking recipe and I bought the whole thing. But it has a whole section devoted to chocolate, so I did OK.
As I was opening the bag of Nestle mini chips, there's a cute little message that says, "Tear here to create memories." A creative way to indicate that that was the place I was supposed to open the bag. However, the tear kept going, quickly, until I had slit a whole down most of the length of the bag and the chips were spilling out all over the counter and floor. Thankfully, most were salvageable by falling on the counter top.
They weren't kidding about the memory part.
Being a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, the chip-to-cookie ratio is key. Too few chips and you're missing what defines the cookie. Too many chips and it's too much of a good thing. Now, I realize this ratio is a delicate one and that it might vary from person to person. But I think a well-researched chocolate chip cookie will have a proportion that satisfies the masses.
The cookies were good enough to share the recipe. Though these are the revisions I would make: I would use only half to three-quarters of the bag of mini chocolate chips rather than the whole thing; and add more brown sugar or some white sugar.
As I was opening the bag of Nestle mini chips, there's a cute little message that says, "Tear here to create memories." A creative way to indicate that that was the place I was supposed to open the bag. However, the tear kept going, quickly, until I had slit a whole down most of the length of the bag and the chips were spilling out all over the counter and floor. Thankfully, most were salvageable by falling on the counter top.
They weren't kidding about the memory part.
Being a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, the chip-to-cookie ratio is key. Too few chips and you're missing what defines the cookie. Too many chips and it's too much of a good thing. Now, I realize this ratio is a delicate one and that it might vary from person to person. But I think a well-researched chocolate chip cookie will have a proportion that satisfies the masses.
The cookies were good enough to share the recipe. Though these are the revisions I would make: I would use only half to three-quarters of the bag of mini chocolate chips rather than the whole thing; and add more brown sugar or some white sugar.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pkg. (4 serving size) instant vanilla, butterscotch or chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1 large egg white
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
COMBINE flour and pudding mix in small bowl. Beat butter in large mixing bowl on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar and baking soda until well combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
COMBINE flour and pudding mix in small bowl. Beat butter in large mixing bowl on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar and baking soda until well combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
As you see from the picture, they turned out a little darker than the recipe's picture. However, they weren't especially crispy...which I appreciate. Chocolate chip memories.
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