God's Word for Today

Saturday, November 29, 2008

What is it about the holidays?

I was thinking this morning about how the transformation that happens in my home after thanksgiving?

It is a slow gradual process as the tree gets put up and the decorations get put on. I love unwrapping all my precious homemade ornaments and finding just the right spot to place then on the tree.

One of my favorites is a small baby Jesus ornament that my son made when he was a very little boy. It is made with Popsicle sticks and a peanut wrapped up in a small piece of blue cloth, Baby Jesus in the Manger, it is the sweetest ornament and quite possible my favorite. (I will post a picture of the ornament as soon as I come across it, all the ornaments are still waiting to be unboxed)

But as I was standing in my kitchen pouring my coffee I thought to myself that today is the day that I will make the switch. I will take all my Christmas coffee mugs down from their shelf and put all my normal everyday coffee cups away. This for me will then signal the beginning of the holidays. It is such small thing, however it really does set the tone, I think. It is just a silly little thing, but for me it begins the holidays.




Do you have a small tradition that really begins the holidays for you?

Blessings
Robin

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I'm a Rocket Scientist (not) I just figured out how to do a Mr. Linky!

Wooo Hooo for me!

It doesn't take much to make me feel like a rocket scientist!

I figured out how to do a Mr. Linkey! I don't have anything I want you to link up to I just wanted to see if I could figure it out.

I was feeling a bit inferior to all the other fabulous blogs out there who do the wonderful carnivals and vlogs or flogs and whatever else.

Hmmmmm....the possibilities are now opening up before me for future Mr. Linkey applications.....

Blessings
Robin A.K.A Mr. Linkey Rocket Scientist



Monday, November 24, 2008

How do I feel about being 49?

It is amazing the difference perspective brings to my life.

When I think of my life and where I am at the ripe old age of 49. I see so many things that are surprising. I thought that the number 50 would bother me, but as I step into the year that I will draw near to this milestone I find that I am not as bothered by this approaching landmark as I thought I would be.

The grey hairs kind of bug me at times, but not enough to exert the time, energy and expense to get rid of them. A blogging friend of mine called them credentials, Wow! I like that!! They aren’t grey hair or wrinkles they are credentials, have mercy!!!!

The aches and pains are an inconvenience, but I have the perspective to recognize that they are minor in comparison to other physical health issues of some others that I know.

The short term memory loss, (now what was I saying, why did I come in here and why are my car keys in the freezer?) this can be a blessing as it clears away the mind and allows me to simply lets go of the unimportant. Thus far I have not forgotten my name, address and phone number and I can still recall my social security number, I do interchange my children’s name from time to time, and so far I have not inadvertently called my dear hubby Harrison (Ford) or Peirce (Brosnan).

In my youth there were days when I would sit and ponder my existence and what the meaning of life was all about, now I just shake my head at all the nonsensical meaningless pursuits that I wasted so much time on.

I am thankful that I have a much firmer grasp on what is truly important.

I am thankful that my definition of what a crisis is has changed dramatically.

I am thankful that I have an easier time recognizing the things I can control and the thing I can’t control.

I am thankful for good friends who love me enough to tell me when I am trying to control a situation or person that can’t be controlled.

I am thankful that I have learned that “No” is a complete sentence, and I am also thankful that I no longer feel the need to justify or explain why I have said it.

I am thankful that I can now appreciate the very simple things like a wonderful cup of coffee, a perfect spring morning, the sound of the garage door opening up as my husband comes home from work, that my daughter still likes to play, talk, and in general hang out with her mom, naps and the value of sleep in general, crawling into a freshly made bed with clean sheets, a really great bargain at the local Goodwill, a good meal, and an even better meal if I don’t have to fix it or clean up after it, a really hot shower, frozen yogurt, a hazelnut java chiller from sonic, and a really good glass of Pinot Griggo.

Now lest you think that I have it all together, please hear me, nothing could be farther from the truth.

After 26 years of marriage, much to my husband’s dismay I am still no better at cleaning toilets or mopping floors than I was when we got married. My official opinion on house work is this. When they start awarding cash prizes for clean kitchen floors and sparkling toilets then I will expend the effort to have them on a constant basis.

I thank Jesus every day for spell-check, I couldn’t win a spelling bee if my life depended on it.

I still wince at any signs of conflict.

I have a strong dis-like for shopping, I will go as far as say that I even hate it.

My filing system is very organized and scientific (NOT), I wait until the junk mail pile beside the computer gets so tall that it falls over and spills on to the floor, this is then the sign that it is time to go through the pile do the necessary shredding and tossing.

I am not very adventurous.

I struggle with being sarcastic.

I am impatient, cranky, judgmental and have been know to consider myself as “always being right”.

I tend to loose track of time, I have now worked on this post when I should have been thinking about what I will cook for diner, (I also subliminally forgot to take anything out of the freezer this morning as well) oh my goodness I guess we will just have to go out for dinner, I mean it is my birthday after all.

So how are you feeling about where you are in your life, your age, your whatever????



Blessings
Robin

Sunday, November 23, 2008

You may now call me "Wise Middle Aged Spider Woman "

What a hoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Your Native American Name Is...



Nadie Kokyangwuti



Your name means: Wise Middle Aged Spider Woman

If you play let me know what your name is!!!!!!
Wise Middle Aged Spider Woman signing off for now!!!!!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Three words.......

The other day during my bible study our facilitator opened up our study time with a prayer. Now this in itself is not unusual, we always open with a word of prayer. What I noticed were three words she spoke at the end of her prayer. After the prayer was over I leaned over and whispered to a friend that these words brought back a memory of my grandmother. I do not recall a prayer from her mouth that did not include these three words.

It is one of those regrets in life that I learned the hard way, I wish now I had paid more attention to those precious moments and possible written some of them down, but sadly I did not. The ignorance of youth and the illusion that we have all the time in the world is such a fantasy.

I have such a clear picture of my grandmother sitting at the head of our table and bowing her beautiful silver haired head to bless our meal. Her hands were so gnarled from arthritis that it was painful to look at them but none the less she would lift them and attempt to place them together, regretfully her permanently bent fingers were frozen in place, twisted and unsteady, but she folded them in from of her the best she could and she would begin to pray….Dear Heavenly Father……….lead, guide and direct us in all your ways……..Amen.

I have not been able to get these three words out of my mind. I began to dissect them, on first hearing they may all seem to be very similar in meaning. Lead, guide and direct, for all that is similar about these three words there are some very distinct differences as well.

To lead implies that I am willing to “be lead” this means that I am willing to follow, to yield my authority over to someone else. It also means that I have to give up my desire to be first. If I am being lead then someone else has to be in front of me.

To guide implies that there is someone who has knowledge and experience in charge. I would not think of taking a white water rafting trip or an African safari without an experienced guide along. Secondly it would be foolish to ignore the advice of a seasoned guide and wander off on my own, the dangers of walking in ignorance can lead to so many tragic circumstances.

To direct implies that the path has already been laid out, whoever is doing the directing is very familiar with the way and knows all the intricate turns and twists that you will face along the way. We have all experienced this, you print out the directions from either MapQuest or Yahoo Maps and you set out confidently placing your faith and trust in the technology to get you where you need to go only to find yourself hopelessly lost. If the directions you are placing your faith in are flawed or inaccurate then you will not reach your destination.

As I pondered these three words it is such a simple revelation on how much more simplified my life has become since I yielded my authority over to my Heavenly Father. As I have allowed myself to be lead by Him, the reigns of control that I held so tightly too, that at times had a strangle hold on me were loosed. I feel a sense of freedom that is hard to describe. It seems almost incongruent that along with the act of yielding the end result is freedom.

I also recognize that it is ok if I don’t know everything, it’s ok if I don’t understand the twist and turns my life takes, they may be painful at times, but I know that when God is in the lead it will be all right.

Another amazing character trait of God is His ability to multi-task. When I am following His lead for my life, this also translates to God having “my back”.

“I got your back!”, it’s an expression my accountability sister and I use, it means that we are watching out for each other, we are protecting each other, praying for each other and running interference or simply just being there when my strength has run out and I need to lean upon someone else for support.

God is leading me, but he also has my back!

I have also found that when I place all my faith and trust in Gods ability to guide me in all circumstance then I will never be lead astray. It is only when I strike out on my own, thinking that I know what I am dong without first consulting the one who know all things, well that is when I get into trouble.

Lastly, I have found that when I follow the directions, God’s Holy word, then I have all the tools I need at my disposal to make all the decisions in my life. I have the instruction manual, and it gives me all the direction I will ever need.

It will never be wrong, it will never give me inaccurate information, and I will never find myself lost and not know which turn to take as long as I am looking for my answers in Gods Holy word.

These three simple words may seem a bit old fashioned, but sometimes I need to be reminded of the unchanging and infallible character of God. I need to be reminded to let Him lead, guide and direct my path.

But don’t take my word for this,


EX 15:13 "In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.

EX 13:20 After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

PS 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

PS 119:35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

Blessings
Robin

Friday, November 21, 2008

Anticipating the Holidays

It’s in the air, the anticipation, the preparation, and the smells from the kitchen. I have a cake cooling on the counter, a pan of brownies in the oven, a pot of green beans in the crock pot and there are plans for homemade Mac and Cheese later.

With all this busyness the payoff is the gathering tomorrow at my sister’s house for our family thanksgiving.

In my blog hopping this morning there was a very similar theme going on. It seems that as the holidays grow nearer our thoughts are more focused on the things to come then the things of today. I know for myself with all the turmoil on the nightly news who would not want to place all their attention on sweet potato soufflé and looking for the perfect stuffing recipe.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner I am thinking about my life and all that I am thankful for. It at times is difficult to set aside the other aspect of life that at times scream louder then the praises, yet the wonderful thing about anticipation and preparation is that it has a unique way of refocusing my thoughts.

Every year I have a dilemma. I want everything to be the same, yet that bumps up against the desire to try something new. Traditions are such a huge part of the holidays for me. The things we do, grandmas dishes we use, the memories all these things kindle.

I have a vision in my head of the perfect thanksgiving. The beautiful table, set with fall colors and the shimmer of candle light and the food beautiful displayed in serving bowls down the center of the table with the center piece being a golden brown roasted turkey. We all gather around the table for wonderful conversation and an even more wonderful food. The meal is enjoyed leisurely, savored to the fullest.

After dinner it is time to pull out the photograph albums, light the fire, tune the stereo to some wonderful Christmas music and settle in after a wonderful meal with my pie and coffee.

I am going to hold on to this the vision of this perfect Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving in my head for the reality will be closer to noisy raucous children, barking dogs, cat’s jumping up on the counter and the constant video games playing in the back ground while the dinner rolls are burning in the oven.

In an effort to remain in my dream thanksgiving for a bit longer I am going to concentrate on the things in my life that I am truly thankful for:

  1. My relationship with my Heavenly Father

  2. My wonderful husband

  3. My sweet daughter

  4. The fact that my son is healthy and has a job

  5. My accountability sisters

  6. That my daughter and I can now work side by side in the kitchen.

  7. That my husband has a job

  8. That we do not live above our means

  9. That my pantry is full

  10. And hopefully next year we can have thanksgiving at my house!

So how do you spend the holidays?

What are your favorite Holiday taditions?

What is your perfect thanksgiving?

What are you thankful for this season?

Blessings
Robin

Monday, November 17, 2008

Fall Into Flavor......Chicken Florentine

This recipe is not necessarily very thanksgivvy, but I tried it just yesterday and was so happy with the outcome I had to share it.

It is one I saw on Food network, a Paula Dean recipe so of course it is loaded with butter, mayonnaise, and CHEESE etc…. however I did make a few substitutions if you feel like lightening it up a bit.

I found that with my substitutions I was still very good. My substitutions are in italics.

It will be a keeper for many future evening meals and covered dish suppers.

Chicken Florentine

Ingredients:


2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach

6 chicken breast halves (about 4 pounds), cooked, boned, and shredded

2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
I substituted the 98% fat free mushroom soup

1 cup mayonnaise
I substituted about ½ to ¾ cup light mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream
I substituted Fat free Sour Cream

2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
I cut this back by half and only uses a cup of cheese

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
I zested about half of the lemon and added the zest as well

1 teaspoon curry powder

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:


Remove the outer wrappers from the box of spinach.

Open 1 end of each box.

Microwave on full power for 2 minutes, until thawed.

I just took my spinach out in the morning and let it thaw in the sink, then squeezed all the water out of it.


Drain the spinach and put into a large bowl.

Add the shredded chicken.

In a medium bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, Cheddar, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper, to taste, and wine.

Whisk together to make a sauce.

Pour the sauce over the spinach and chicken.

Mix well with a spatula.

Place the mixture into an 11 by 7-inch casserole dish or 2 (9-inch) square disposable aluminum foil pans that have been sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray.

Pat down evenly and smooth with a spatula.

Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs and sprinkle over the top.

Dot with the butter.
I omitted this step and just sprayed the top lightly with a spritz of cooking spray

Wrap the uncooked casserole securely with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil.

Place each pan into a plastic freezer bag and seal.

Place into freezer.

Allow casserole to thaw 24 hours in refrigerator.

When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and foil.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes until bubbly.

Super yummy!

I also like that the recipe will make either one large casserole dish or two small.

This is wonderful being able to have one for diner and one to freeze for later.


Love it! Love It! Love It!

Blessings
Robin

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Bread of Life

I am not sure what it is about the turn of seasons, but for me with the change in temperature and the falling of the leaves spur in me a desire for warm comforting smells emanating from my kitchen.

I think that there can be no better smell than the yeasty aroma of a loaf of homemade bread filling my home.

The aroma begins with the first pouring of the warm water over the dry yeast and the tiny little microbes or whatever they are spring into action. The little bubbles signaling to me that a mysterious process is taking place. The scent lifts from my mixer bowl and fills the kitchen.

As the bread proofs in a warm oven it grows, and grows and again the heady aroma fills the air.

The feel of the dough in my hands as I form it into loaves, it is soft, firm, pliable, elastic and again fragrant.

This beginning perfume is only intensified as it is altered by the heat of my oven. The raw yeast smell transforms into a full and fragrant fall bouquet. The smell of the homemade bread laden with cinnamon and raisins permeates every inch of my home.

The mouth salivates with anticipation for the first slice toasted and slathered with butter.

It lingers in the air for almost a full 24 hours, for the next day the house is still lightly holding on to the process.

Yes I know it takes a bit of time, yes I know it takes a bit of effort. But for me the smell, the taste, the knowledge that the process of making homemade bread has not changes for thousands of years somehow connects me to something ancient.

The tools I use may be a bit different but the yeast, the flour, all the steps from the blooming of the yeast to the loaves cooling on a rack are basically the same as they were thousands of years ago. I find that such a comfort.


A little flour, a little yeast and little kneading, let it sit for an hour and punch it down.



Turn out on to a floured surface and form a rectangle




Sprinkle generously with lots of cinnamon sugar and raisins



Roll and tuck, press and form into loaves


Into the pans for the second proofing

One hour later


Proofed and ready to bake, I love how it rises up and billows in a perfect rounded top, it reminds me of a plump pudgy cheek, you can decide which kind of cheek


Into the over for 30 or so minutes and



Cooling on a rack




Sliced it up





Into the toaster


As I sat on my living room sofa and breathed in the aroma of the bread baking filling my house the word of My Savior come to my mind.
JN 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry,
As I was surrounded by the amazing fragrance, as we broke the bread and shared it together during our evening meal these word for me we re-defined a bit more.
I know of many wonderful aromas, I know of many mouth watering and delicious delicacies, but as the fragrance of the bread filled the air around me I could understand more clearly why Jesus would use this particular analogy.
I know you can’t smell it, but I wanted to share a bit of the process and maybe just maybe your home will be vicariously filled with this amazing fragrance of the bread of life.
Enjoy!
Blessings
Robin

Friday, November 14, 2008

Six degrees of separation or blogeration or just a bunch of my random thoughts.

I love how clicking over to my blog leads me to so many different thoughts and people. This morning I was comforted by a wonderful Scottish poem and then I checked in on 2 cup of coffee and she had bounced off a blog and did a post which was spurred off of someone else’s blog and so on and so on and so on and there you have the six degree of blogeration so I thought I would add my (I've lost count what degree it is ) of separation to this random chain in the blogosphere.

So here it is for all it’s worth!

What is your writing process?

For me it is a definite prompting. There are times when it seems as if there is a tiny voice in my head that tells me to write it down, there are multiple scriptures that reference God specifically telling his people to write something down, no I am far from saying that what I place down on paper is prophetic, but it is just an example of how best to describe my process.

I will be doing something random and then a thought or germ of an idea will flash in my brain and I will just know I will need to write it down. I have kept a written journal for many years and have been placing my thoughts down on paper since I was a teenager. I know, I know a scary thought that when I am gone there will be boxes and boxes of my random thought just lying around to traumatize my children, but I digress. I found that I would begin to place my thoughts down on paper but somehow it would transition into something else. I would be casually writing along and then it would turn into something that I knew was somehow more that just my inner workings.

It took me many years to chew on the realization that this transformation was called writing and it took me even longer to get over the fear of actually admitting to myself and to others that I wanted to be a writer. I mean writers are smart people with collage degrees and diverse vocabularies…….Oh my gosh did I just write that down for all to see!!!!!!!

What are your greatest creative inspirations?

I have noticed that there are two very specific triggers for me. The first being God’s word or His creation. I have really come to accept over the last few years that God has placed a call to write in my heart. There are specific times when I will read a specific passage of scripture and then these thoughts will come flowing into my brain and it feels like a waterfall. If I do not stop and take the time to get them out of my head and down on paper then I feel unsettled.

The second is life observations, there are times when I will be doing a random thing, be outside or even something as simple a household chores and I will have sort of a mini revelation that will connect with how great God is and how wonderful He orchestrate things and again it will whirl around in my head until I place it down on paper. What are your greatest creative barriers?
Maintaining balance. Time constraints. Setting priorities. Knowing that stuff has to get done, working part time, but also recognizing that if I do not devote the time to actually spending time working on being a writer then it will never happen. What is your favorite word? Hush or serendipity or congruent

What is your least favorite word?

“Grub”


What sound or noise do you love?

I could sit by the ocean for hours, the soft yet thundering cadence of how the waves roll in and out can soothe most any trouble. I have a CD of ocean waves that I will play form time too time to help me sleep, second favorite sound is the hissing and gurgling that my coffee maker makes as it finished brewing my morning coffee, but I think that has more to do with the pavlovian response in knowing that my coffee is ready.


What sound or noise do you hate?

An electric pencil sharpener accompanied by a 13 year old with a handful of dull colored pencils.

What is your favorite curse word?

I rarely use profanity, but in have been know to utter a s _ _ _! Upon slicing my finger or stubbing my toe.


A song/band/type of music you'd risk wreck & injury to turn off when it comes on the radio?

Rap and Head banging screaming hard rock, I don’t think it should even be classified as music,

Best show on television?

Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Boston Legal, Iron Chief America, Dancing with the Stars.

Favorite movie?

This for me is too difficult. I simply love movies. I love old movies, new movies, bad movies. Block busters, science fiction, thrillers, action adventure, romance, romantic comedy. I think it would be easier to tell you there are a few movie genres that I do not care for, I do not like to watch the blood and gore slashed tire movies, I do not care for the really dark serial killer criminal type movies.

Favorite room in your house?

The kitchen! I truly believe it is the heart of the home. It is where people congregate, it is where my daughter and I work side by side to prepare our evening meals. It is where I blow off steam. If I am having a personal crisis it is not uncommon for there to me multiple trays of muffins or cookies cooling across my kitchen island. I love getting in the kitchen and coming up with something new, experimenting with new recipes changing things up and trying new things.

As I work on this post there is a batch of cinnamon raisin bread proofing n the oven. The hours smell of yeast and cinnamon and by the end of the day there will be two homemade loaves of cinnamon raisin swirl bread cooling ready for Saturday morning breakfast tomorrow.

Best concert?

I am so totally not a music lover, but the last concept we went to was the “Music Build’s: Concert” tour. My hubby travels quite a bit and he was able to score us some free tickets to his concert from all the stays he got at a certain hotel chain. Let me see if I can remember who all was there. Switchfoot, Jars of Clay, Third Day and one other band that I can’t remember. It was a great concert.

Brass or strings?

Strings

If you could have anything put on a t-shirt what would it be?

Got Jesus?

..... or

Be considerate

(I absolutely hate rudeness and selfishness, folks need to recognize that it so is not abut them and see what it really is all about, knowing Jesus and learning to think of someone else before themselves!)

The best part about being your age?

Is there a good thing about being nearly fifty???? One year and a few days and counting until the big 50. Well I can say that I feel a whole lot more shelf assured about me and what I believe in. I am more confident in myself as a person and I feel competently competent, or at least if feel like I am on a path to becoming competently competent. (a phrase I stole from a recent Beth Moore Simulcast that I attended, which by the way was amazing!!!!!!!)

Favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Tri Foils

Poker or gin or bridge?

Go Fish or solitaire. I so don’t understand the rules of poker, or any card game for that matter.

Shower or bath?

Most days I take a shower, but if I have my house to myself and there have been no demand on the water heater then I can take a nice long hot bath. If DD and DH have had there nightly shower there is never enough hot water to fill up my garden tub, (note to self: next house or next project a tank-less water heater and all the hot water I can possible use all the time any time I want)

Favorite pajamas?

A light weight cotton tank top. No flannel or long sleeves for me. The night sweats and sudden hot flashes have hit with a vengeance and even on winter nights much to my DH dismay I have to have the ceiling fan running to keep me from bursting into flames. I will have to kick off my comforter during the night while my husband in hunkered down under two quilted doubled over so he can stay warm.

Nightmare job?

House cleaning or working in a daycare center. A shiver just ran down my spine at the thought of being a cleaning lady in a daycare center.

A talent you wish you had?

I am terrible at math, I wish I was a better speller and one day I would love to have a studio where I could learn how to throw a pot on a potter’s wheel.

I also would love to be able to think faster in my feet. I can not tell you the number of times when I am faced with a situation and I am at a complete loss for what to say. It will be hours later and then after I have pondered on the situation I will know what I should have said.

Dream vacation?

Any place tropical.

What's on your nightstand?

A small arrangement of artificial flowers, an alarm clock, a flashlight, a bookmark, an pony tail holder, a bottle of Aveeno Stress Relief Lotion, a telephone, the instruction manual to a cell phone, a handkerchief, a sleep mask, the price tags and size tags from a recent purchase and a tiny zip lock bag with a button in it, you now the kind they attach to a new blouse or sweater with a replacement button.

3 weird things about you:


When I eat M&M’s I will open the bag and dump them out and group all the different colors together. I will then eat them according to color. Sometime I go from the most of one color to the least but then other times I will go from least to the most, unless I am at the theater and then you have to eat them straight out of the bag.

I would rather have silence than listen to music.

I lack the shopping gene, in fact I will go as far as to say that shopping is my very least favorite thing to do ever, I would rather do anything even clean my house than go shopping.

Give me a shout out if you feel the need to add to this little blog hopping degrees of separation.

Blessings
Robin

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

And the Winner is.........

Que the fireworks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Release the balloons!!!!


Let the confetti fly!!!!



Pop the corks!!!!!


Because we have a winner........................................................


In a highly scientific process involving a plastic bowl, some scrap paper and the assistance of my DD




I am proud to announce the winner of my 100th post give away is.....



Applause!!! Applause!!! Applause!!!!!


Let's all do the Happy Dance!!!!




Wooo Hooooo!!!!!!!

Monday, November 10, 2008

O.C.D. a.k.a. Obsessive Crocheting Disorder

New information was released today to the general public about a disturbing new disorder becoming more prevalent in the knitting and crocheting society. The findings from this ground breaking study are shedding some much needed light onto a little know and newly discovered disordered.

Obsessive Crocheting Disorder is a closely related form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, however the symptoms seem to be closely related to the weather. Research studies have found a link between the drop in temperature and the rise of reported cases of Obsessive Crocheting Disorder. However scientists are still unable to determine why the colder temperatures seem to bring the onset of this disturbing disorder.

In researching this new disorder doctors interview a cross section of society and found that there are several symptoms that can all be indicators of this disorder. Sadly this disorder can also be genetic and passed from one generation to another. To date there is no know test to detect the genetic causes of this disorder but in an effort to help educate the general public as to the seriousness of this condition they are releasing their findings to the general public.

Sufferers from this disorder report symptoms such as:


  • Experiencing a constant and underlying thought in there mind that they need to be crocheting.

  • an uncontrollable pull toward the yarn bag

  • feelings of dissatisfaction in all other areas of life while an unfinished project lay dormant.

  • upon entering any retail center such as Wal Mart or Hobby Lobby there is an automatic response to head directly for the yarn isle to see if anything is on sale.

  • an unwillingness to throw away the paper wrappers around the skeins because of the free patter on the back side.

  • the accumulation of small balls of left over yarn

  • a desire to have multiple projects going at once, this last symptom can further complicate this difficult disorder as the brain has difficulty setting priorities and the lines between normal boundaries begin to blur and the sufferers no longer have the ability to distinguish between normal time and time spent crocheting.

  • yarn hording (the needless buying of yarn with the intention of doing something with it in the future)

    Family members report feelings of becoming invisible as well as a sudden loss of hearing in the they can not get the attention of their loved ones while they are crocheting. “Just let me get to the end of this row….” is a common excuse reported by frustrated family members.

    In studying the catscan’s of the study participants scientist have found that the brain of one suffering from Obsessive Crocheting Disorder simply can not distinguish between the normal priorities of life such as cooking, cleaning, bill paying and general parenting when there is a prayer shawl or blanket that remains unfinished with in a ten foot radius of their physical presence.

    Individuals with documented cases of O.C.D. have reported to their physicians of experiencing what can only be describes as phantom like symptoms such as the feeling of yarn puling through there fingers when they are doing ordinary things. They also report that random thoughts such as wondering if they have the right size hooks at home or if they have enough yarn to finish the project preoccupy their thought processes.

    Doctors report that it is not uncommon for sufferers of this disorder to experience times of intense anxiety when they skip a stitch, realize that they have miscounted or have trouble decipher the code language that is unique to the crocheting subculture:
  • (example of code)
    With A, ch 101. Sc in second ch from hook and in each of next 6 chs, * 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 7 ch, skip next 2 ch, sc in each of next 7 chs, repeat from * 4 more times, 3 sc in next ch, sc in each of last 7 ch. Fasten off A, turn…..repeat 45 rows until pieces measures 45 inches or you simply loose your mind or run out of yarn and refuse to make another tip to the Wal Mart for more.

    On a more positive note the study findings did report that the individual suffering for this disorder experience moments of intense satisfaction upon completion of a crocheting project, as well as multiple occurrences of “OOOOH’s and AHHHHH’s and Oh my word, did you make that, it’s so beautiful!” from onlookers which tended to spur the sufferers on to more and more crocheting.

    As of yet there is no know treatment for Obsessive Crocheting Disorder, however researchers are hopeful that as more is learned about this unique disorder that a cure will eventually be found.

************************************************************************************

On a personal note I am considering forming a 12 step program for those suffering from Obsessive Crocheting Disorder.

Hi! My name is Robin and I can’t stop working my blanket.

I actually bought all the yarn in the bin at the Wal Mart just because I would rather take back the skeins that I do not use rather than have to make a special trip back because I have run out.

Someone help me!!!!!
(the project I am working on is top secret and it is going to be really pretty when it is finished!!!!)

And sad but true, as I finish this post my DD is sitting at the end of the sofa working on her very first crochet project. I was instructed last night as she ran out of yarn to make sure I stopped at the Hobby Lobby on my way home from work today to pick up some more of the yarn she needed, because they did not have the specific kind of yarn at the Wal Mart.

Oh no! Like mother like daughter.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

100th Post Give-Away

There is one day left in my 100th Post Give Away. If you would like to toss you name in the hat just leave me a comment at the link above. I will draw a winner tomorrow evening and post the winner Tuesday.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Commander in Chief

In the days prior to the election there was a sense of urgency in the air. There was also a great cloud of expectancy that hovered over everything. For what seemed like forever things had been building up to election day. Now I will readily admit that what I had been praying for did not come to completion, or at least in my limited human vision of what I wanted to happen, well lets just say that as I watched all the revelry on election eve I had a sense of disbelief and trepidation of the days to come.

I began to think about the things that I know to be true. I began to ponder on what I know will never change and my “dis-ease” began to lessen.

There are so many things in life that are beyond our control, the next four years will no doubt bring many changes.

With those changes there are things that I can do.

As we were explain the outcome of the election to my daughter, my husband and I impressed upon her that now it is even more important than ever to double our efforts of praying for our nation, and as difficult as it may be, I must begin to pray for this current administration.

I was discussing with friend last night about how there are so many people who live their entire lives without the slightest acknowledgement of God sovereignty. I also have to recognize that I am just a small part in God’s vast and complex yet perfect universe. I do not know why the prayers of the faithful were not granted, it sounds so presumptuous to speculate what God has in store for us over the next four years.

Again I have to go back to what I know for sure, who is ultimatly in control. I must continue to recognize that my ultimate commander in chief reigns on a Heavenly Thrown. I must continue to place my faith on the one who laid the foundations of the earth and placed the stars in the sky and knows them all by name.

God’s word is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword and if we will but place our faith in His instruction and His example we can endure, overcome, persevere and even flourish during any situation.

What gives me hope are the words that the Lord placed before me on the very day of the election.

The prophet Jeremiah was pleading with the people of Judah to turn from there idol worship and false Gods. He saw the consequence of their past actions and he was urging them to place their faith in the one true God.

Listen to his words……..

JER 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

These words are as much for us as they were for the faithful listeners so long ago.

The faithful can plant their roots deep into the sustaining stream of strength and hope of The Almighty.

Join me my friends in prayer.

We must all pray for the current administration.

I have to be completely honest right now and share that I am praying for my bad attitude to dissipate and asking God for a real willingness to genuinely and with a sincere heart begin to pray for those who are newly elected.

We must pray for our nation every day, pray without ceasing, pray continually, pray, pray, pray and pray some more.

2CH 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Blessings
Robin

Monday, November 3, 2008

One for you and one for me! …….and how big is your pile? ....and……Fall into Flavor

In honor of my 100th post I am killing two or maybe three birds with one stone so bear with me.

First, I have a small give away for one of my wonderful readers.

I love a bargain and I love decorative wall crosses and I found these wonderful fall foliage crosses marked down 50% at the Hobby Lobby. (Yaaaaaa!!!!!!!) I bought the last two they had, so I have one for me and one for you!!!!!!

My two favorite things all in one.



If you will leave me a comment I will draw from all of them and pick a winner. I can’t wait to see who will win!!!!!!
I'll leave the contest open until next Monday!!!!!

Secondly I was reading a post over at 2nd Cup of Coffee about Linda’s Laundry Miracle. She shared with all of us about the rare occurrence of being able to fold all her white socks and actually having them all match up.

I though to myself that there have been a few rare occasions when this extraordinary laundry phenomena has occurred in my universe of dirty Landry, however more time than not I am left with the sad lonely orphaned sock. Theses mate less abandoned foot apparel make there way to a laundry basket orphanage on top of my dryer. Periodically I will go through this basket/orphanage to see if the strange unseen laundry forces have aligned and brought two long lost socks together once again.

So here’s a question for ya. Do you save the odd socks or do you toss them?

I can't seen to toss them away. I am not sure why except for the nagging thought that as soon as I toss one away I will miraculously come across the mate under the sofa or wedged in the toe of a pair of shoes in the back of my closet.

I know with the daily drama of the impending elections the climate seems a bit tense! There are weighty issues hanging in the balance. Casting our votes weather you have already done so or if you will be standing in line tomorrow is one of our most important privileges we have as Americans. Well, I thought I would lighten the mood a bit and give you all a glimpse into the amazingly unexciting and unimportant details of my life.

So here it is my sock pile!





Thirdly: Fall Into Flavor

Here is my contribution to this weeks fall into Flavor.
It is simple fare but what could be better then grits, sausage, butter and cheese???????
Cheese Grits Casserole
3 Cups Grits
12 Cups Water
1/2 Pound of Butter or Margarine
1 Pound Grated Cheese (any kind you like)
6 Eggs (Beaten)
1 or 2 Pounds Sausage (Browned and Grease Drained Off)
Salt And Pepper To Taste

Cook grits according to package directions. When grits are done add cheese and browned sausage and mix until incorporated. Remove about one cup of the grits mixture and add to your beaten eggs to temper, whisk together. Add this back to the grits and mix until will incorporated.
Pour into well greased casserole dish and bake off in 350 oven for 20 to 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
You can add some additional grated cheese to the top of this about 5 or so minutes before finished to add an extra cheese touch.
You can make it ahead ff time and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Options: Crumbled Bacon or Diced Ham or Sautéed Onions or Peppers or Mushrooms and don’t forget Shrimp!!!!!!!!!!
Great for Brunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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