I'm gearing up for my holiday baking! I'm one of those people who only makes her favorites. I almost never try anything new because there is something comforting about tradition. Plus, why waste the calories on anything you aren't absolutely certain you're going to love?!
I make:
Peanut Butter Temptations
Peanut Butter Bark
Fudge
Chocolate-dipped pretzels
Nut Goody Bars
Ginger Crinkles
What do you make every year? Your go-to? Share the recipe...and happy baking!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thankful 2012
I'm hosting my family, so the next few days are going to be a little crazy. But lest you think me ungrateful, I will post this now. Here are the things I am most grateful for this year.
god.
the captain.
clara.
the rugrats.
a respectful teenager.
re-election.
knee-high boots.
my health.
my childrens' health.
opportunity.
jax teller.
forgiveness.
winning bets. (you know who you are.)
carbs.
this side of pregnancy.
yoga pants.
dr. brown.
hope.
a recovering real estate market.
laughter.
progressive talk radio.
daily manna.
my mom.
understanding.
Wishing all of you a happy holiday and blessings as you celebrate your own gratitude. God be with you!
god.
the captain.
clara.
the rugrats.
a respectful teenager.
re-election.
knee-high boots.
my health.
my childrens' health.
opportunity.
jax teller.
forgiveness.
winning bets. (you know who you are.)
carbs.
this side of pregnancy.
yoga pants.
dr. brown.
hope.
a recovering real estate market.
laughter.
progressive talk radio.
daily manna.
my mom.
understanding.
Wishing all of you a happy holiday and blessings as you celebrate your own gratitude. God be with you!
Monday, November 5, 2012
The other night, I laid my head on my pillow with my gorgeous and loving husband next to me. I thought of my teenager sleeping downstairs, rapidly outgrowing the twin bed he's always slept on. I imagined my two rugrats sounds asleep on their bunks. And my sweet baby girl, across the hall, taking sweet little baby breaths all swaddled up and warm. And I thought that if I had no other possessions in all my world, but these -- this roof over our heads, and this safe place to be together, it would be enough. Lord, let me always determine my value by these gifts alone.
Thank you, Jesus.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Discussing the Discussion
This weekend, a couple of my sisters and I had a short conversation about the Voter ID Amendment on the ballot in Minnesota. Instantly, we were silenced by my brothers. "I make a motion to not discuss politics!" And someone seconded it, so I shut up. But I'm not going to lie, I didn't do so happily. I stewed about it for awhile, and I'm still kind of mad.
It's often said that we shouldn't discuss politics and religion. I often say that those two subjects might be the most important subjects of all (in addition, I think a world without them is boring. It's when I've been most deeply challenged that I've learned the most.). And I'm sure there are situations where it's not appropriate, but among a couple sisters, who want to discuss it, five days before a national election? Yeah. That's appropriate.
I admit that I took their muzzling personally. How can I not? Out of this family of eleven, I am the only one who is political. I am most certainly the only Democrat. And frankly, it's not easy. One brother actually said he didn't want to stand by "the Democrat" in our family picture. A joke? Not funny. Sometimes I wonder how it could be, that I'm the only one among 20 adults with these worldviews. I genuinely think that I'm respectful when I talk about the things I care about. Are you really so offended if I share my perspective? Or do you just find it boring? What do you think is going to happen if we spend half an hour talking about politics? I think we might just have an interesting conversation.
In my house, we will discuss politics. We might not agree, and we might have passionate debates. But we're going to be informed, and we're going to be involved. We're going to talk -- nothing will be offlimits. I want my kids to not only understand the issues, but understand how to make their point, and how to discuss the merits of their argument. Intelligent people can disagree. And they can have a conversation that includes current events, and politics, and religion. Because at the end of the day, those are the things that matter most -- our convictions and our beliefs. In my house, I will not be silenced, nor will anyone who wants to talk. Come on over.
It's often said that we shouldn't discuss politics and religion. I often say that those two subjects might be the most important subjects of all (in addition, I think a world without them is boring. It's when I've been most deeply challenged that I've learned the most.). And I'm sure there are situations where it's not appropriate, but among a couple sisters, who want to discuss it, five days before a national election? Yeah. That's appropriate.
I admit that I took their muzzling personally. How can I not? Out of this family of eleven, I am the only one who is political. I am most certainly the only Democrat. And frankly, it's not easy. One brother actually said he didn't want to stand by "the Democrat" in our family picture. A joke? Not funny. Sometimes I wonder how it could be, that I'm the only one among 20 adults with these worldviews. I genuinely think that I'm respectful when I talk about the things I care about. Are you really so offended if I share my perspective? Or do you just find it boring? What do you think is going to happen if we spend half an hour talking about politics? I think we might just have an interesting conversation.
In my house, we will discuss politics. We might not agree, and we might have passionate debates. But we're going to be informed, and we're going to be involved. We're going to talk -- nothing will be offlimits. I want my kids to not only understand the issues, but understand how to make their point, and how to discuss the merits of their argument. Intelligent people can disagree. And they can have a conversation that includes current events, and politics, and religion. Because at the end of the day, those are the things that matter most -- our convictions and our beliefs. In my house, I will not be silenced, nor will anyone who wants to talk. Come on over.
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