MM: November 23

Last week was quite difficult for me.  It has been a sad two months, yes, but this week I was especially sad for Shelomith.  Some days this week more than others, it has been hard to write at least something in my gratitude journal.  Yes, there is always the “I’m thankful that I’m able to breathe” but some days it is hard to look past my pain.  (And “I’m thankful I can breathe” kinda sounds trite.)

18~11/16/09~The kind woman who let The Bull use her phone when his truck broke down.
19~11/16/09~The quiet sounds the children make as they are waking up.
20~11/17/09~Two little boys who will give hugs and kisses when I’m having a hard day.
21~11/17/09~”There is no foot so small that it cannot leave its imprint on the world.”  First seen here.
22~11/17/09~A comforting song that always that seems to be on the radio when I’m listening.
23~11/18/09~Pink, purple, blue striped sunset which graced the sky tonight at about 4:40 pm.

(what it looked like when I took the picture)

(what I remember it being)

24~11/19/09~Dear friends who are praying for me.
25~11/20/09~The Bull’s day off and accomplishing much, including lots of fun family time.
26~11/21/09~More firewood stacked and beside the door, ready to bring in and warm the house.  (thanks to The Bull, Calf 1, and Calf 2.)
27~11/21/09~For The Bull’s scrubbing the pan in which I burned rice.
28~11/22/09~That the burned on corn is cleaned out of the pots.

Does this sound like a good idea to you? Want to join us?

MPM: Week of November 23

A few quick notes on last week’s menu:

Substituting potatoes for the rice in Monday’s chicken and rice?  Never again!! ‘Nuff said.

The cocoa fruit dip was also not well received.  Not sweet enough, they said.  I didn’t measure the ingredients, but I guess I didn’t add enough honey.  (I thought it was good!)

The dried sweet corn was a total flop.  Twice! First off, I moved it to Saturday night (not the reason for the flop.)  I soaked the dried corn kernels for an hour and then cooked them for a half hour before dinner, and they were still hard.  So I cooked them for a few more hours that night, figuring on serving them Sunday night instead.  Wellllll. . . I forgot the pan was on the stove top and it burned.  So I dumped out the un-blackened kernels and put them in the fridge, and left the burned-on pan (hey, it was late and I was tired!)

Sunday afternoon I put the un-blackened kernels in a pan with more water and after a few hours they were STILL hard.  And guess what!?  Yeah, I forgot about the pan again and it burned again.  So last night I worked to clean off TWO burned on corn pans.

(That  makes three for the week. . . on Tuesday I cooked rice for my lunch; after I put the pan on the stove I went to do some writing and forgot about it.)

Being that I am a glutton for punishment, I think I will try to cook dried corn again.  This time, I will do what I usually do for dried beans (soak overnight, then cook for an hour or so.)  Anyone ever used dried corn and want to share a favorite recipes or tip?

So I am hoping that this week will work out better.  Although I am a bit concerned, since I’m trying out a new recipe.  *crosses fingers*

Monday:  Baked chicken and squash with a noodle side dish (yeah, we just need a break from the potatoes methinks.)

Tuesday:  Leftovers, or a freezer meal.   It will be a VERY busy day for us.

Wednesday:  Sloppy Joe’s with a random veggie.

Thursday:  We will be sharing a Thanksgiving meal with friends, and our dish to bring is the mashed potatoes.  The Bull plans to make them (YAY!)

Friday, Kids’ night: Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes or muffins, eggs, fruit.

Saturday:  Dinner with friends.

Sunday:  Leftovers.

If you’re searching for good ideas, check out Org Junkie’s blog.  Happy Thanksgiving to ya’all who are celebrating this week!

MM: November 16

In September, which seems like a million years ago and several galaxies away now, a dear friend Nani shared a particularly touching blog posting with me and several other friends.

“Oh great, another blog.  I do NOT have time for this!” I thought.  I didn’t look at it.  Didn’t even consider it.  And yet, there was that nagging little feeling that I need to read it.  (I’m coming to realize that I shouldn’t ignore that little feeling.)

It waited for me, that blog did.  I looked at that email from Nani a dozen times.  And then Shelomith happened.  That week, a dear mutual friend, Kristine, gave me a printed copy of the same blog posting.

I couldn’t not read it this time.  That blog had pursued me.

I finally had time to read it.  And I was totally blown away by the beauty, the simplicity of the writing.

One thing led to another and I found myself spending time looking through her old posts.  They resonated with me.  This one in particular struck my attention:  The Grattitude Journal.

I sighed.  Don’t I have enough things to be doing?  And yet. . . this one grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let me go.   “I don’t have time” turned into “Well, I do have a new journal I could use. . . “  (It, of course, is purple.)

So I’ve decided to participate in this.  My goal is to make my 1000 gifts list before the end of March, when Shelomith would have been born.  I’m thinking that I’ll really really need to be counting my blessings at that time.

Here’s my list thus far:

1~10/19/09 Purple overalls, size 2
2~10/19/09 Virginia Beach t-shirts from Grandpa Ray
3~10/20/09 The ability to educate my children at home as we see best
4~10/20/09 The support (financial, practical, emotional, social) to do so
5~10/22/09 Sandie, “our room”
6~10/25/09 Warm October weather and delay of snow (better for travel around the state)
7~10/26/09 A warm (down) winter coat, my size, $35
8~10/27/09 Donut “seeds” at a favorite bakery
9~11/1/09 Blue Letter Bible10~11/9/09 A dryer that re-started itself after prematurely shutting off
11~11/10/09 A warm fire on a snowy day
12~11/11/09 The veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country, especially the one I married  ♥
13~11/12/09 Woodstove, candles, and flashlights that kept our house warm and bright when the power went out last night for an hour
14~11/12/09 20,338 words!
15~11/13/09 A pretty good sale on broccoli and cauliflower (88 cents a pound) and that 2 of the 3 kids (and both of us parents) will eat it
16~11/14/09 Meatballs, potatoes, lefse, cookies with friends. . . and lutefisk for The Bull

17~11/15/09 Quiet, lazy days at home to catch up on things

Does this sound like a good idea to you?  Want to join us?

MPM: Week of November 16

I’m up to 27,000 words.  That’s a little more than half way to my goal (50,000 words) and the month is half over.  That’s actually a lot better than I thought I’d do, but it is  getting harder now, the longer I write.  (Emotionally harder I mean. . . since I’m writing about this and basically re-living it.  But at the same time, it’s very, very good to be doing this.)  But I think I can make my goal!  (I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . . toooo-whoo!)

This week I ♥ my crock pot.

Monday:   Chicken and rice (a recipe from Aunt Mel, which I will share with you below.)  Except that we have a glut huge blessing of potatoes from our garden so I will substitute potatoes for the rice.

Tuesday:  Bratwurst, raw potato chunks, and a jar or two of The Bull’s home made cabbage: throw it all in the crock pot and let it simmer all day.  I hope it works out well!

Wednesday:   Dinner at church.

Thursday:  We’ll either go out on a date, me and my honey, or I’ll make tuna pot pie (recipe below.)  Except I will substitute salmon for the tuna, since we have it and the kids like it in this recipe.  (At least they liked it when I made it last.  Hopefully they’ll like it this time too!)

Friday, Kids’ night:  Breakfast for dinner:  Muffins, eggs, fruit, and cocoa fruit dip.  (I’ve never made this, but it sounds lovely doesn’t it?  I almost think I’d like to eat it plain.)

Saturday:  Chicken Delicious, served on cooked potato chunks instead of rice, with a random veggie.

Sunday:  Moose ribs, baked potatoes, and dried sweet corn. ( I put the ribs in a roaster pan, sprinkle with Montreal Steak seasoning, add a little water, and bake it covered all day.  Then I pour BBQ sauce over it at the end. . . usually it ends up tender and delish.)

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Chicken and rice (from Aunt Mel)

Chicken thighs
Rice (Uncle Ben’s converted is what I learned this recipe with)
Vegetables (frozen, fresh, or canned)
Bouillon (chicken, of course), several cubes to taste

1. Boil chicken in lots of water for 30 to 45 minutes.  Remove the chicken from the water and RESERVE THE WATER! (One time I forgot what I was doing and threw it out to the dogs, oh my! It was a sad day for me, but a pretty happy day for them.)
2. Set the chicken aside until it is cool enough that you can handle it.  Then take the bones and fat out and cut into pieces.
3. Add the rice and frozen or fresh vegetables and bouillon to the chicken water.
4. Boil until the rice is tender.  Check the flavor and stir often, adding more bouillon as necessary.
5. If using canned vegetables, add them when the rice is tender and heat through.
6. You can make this extra broth-y and eat it as a soup, or less broth-y and eat it as a casserole.

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Tuna pot pie (clipped from the newspaper 10/4/1988)

1lemon, thinly sliced
13 oz can white tuna, drained and flaked (we will be using smoked salmon)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can clam chowder (we’ll use another can of chicken soup. . . clams don’t go over well here)
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 tablespoon celery flakes
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
3 tablespoons pre-cooked rice
5 1/3 oz can evaporated milk
8.5 oz package corn muffin mix

1. Cover bottom of buttered 2-quart baking dish with lemon.  Combine tuna, soups, spices, seasonings, rice, and milk; pour into baking dish.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.
2. Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions.  Spread over hot tuna mixture.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.

You can stop over at the Org Junkie’s blog for more recipes, meal plans, and all sorts of organization tips.  It’s a fun place!

TT: Waiting For A Blessing

(Friday again. . . I’m trying really hard to get it together. . .maybe next week will be better?)

This week, being that it was Veteran’s Day, a local building materials store had a discount for veterans.  We are in the midst of building an addition on our house and had planned to get a few things.  Except that when The Bull went in to make his purchases, he forgot one little item.

The insulation.

OK that’s actually a big big BIG item.

“Oh well,” we figured.  “There will be another sale sometime, we can wait to purchase it.”  And we promptly forgot about it.

Until he went back in to the store yesterday and found a pile of insulation.  Its outer packaging had been damaged in transit to the store and said insulation was discounted quite a bit.  So we ended up getting it for way less than we would have paid on Wednesday, even with his veteran’s discount.

W O W ! ! !

Isn’t it lovely when it works this way sometimes?  I’m sure you’ve all received that email that tells of the people who were not at the World Trade Center on that horrible morning of September 11, 2001.  These people were held up by life–a broken shoelace, a donut run, a missed bus, a child moving too slowly in getting ready for the day.  And they all were not where they were supposed to be.  And survived . . . because of delays that would drive me up the wall on a typical day.

Personally, I am the type to get really frustrated when my plan doesn’t work.  Because I know the best way to schedule my time, my days, right?  It is so frustrating when (another Wednesday incident!) I get home from the grocery store to find an email about a really good sale that I missed out on.

A day late, a dollar short!

Or three hours late, and $15 dollars short, in the case of the groceries.

I’m learning that I need to let go of my plans.  No matter how much I’ve considered and planned and figured what will be best, there is One who is still in charge.  And He alone knows what is truly best for my life.

And I need to remember that when we miss the big sale, He may have an even bigger blessing in store for us.

A few weeks after we lost Shelomith, I was talking with a friend who had miscarried multiple times.  She told me about one that was especially difficult, wiping away tears.  And yet, she said:  “Had I not miscarried, I would not have my son B.  And I can’t imagine life without him!”

I don’t know what the LORD has planned for us.  Will I ever conceive again?  If I do, will I miscarry again or carry the baby to term?  Or–will I conceive and bear a dozen more children?  There are no guarantees in life, are there?  (Aside from the death and taxes thing, of course.)

And maybe the blessings that come to us from this difficult time have nothing to do with children, and everything to do with walking a little closer to Him.

(Although honestly . . . I do like the idea of having another baby sometime.    )

This has happened for me before.  It was horribly, terribly hard to lose my first husband.  And yet, if I had not, I would not have moved to Alaska and met the friends that have been so dear to me today.  Including The Bull.  When we were newlyweds and moved from our little cabin in the woods to a different town, we left behind a lot of wonderful people and it was a sad, sad time for us.  And yet, if we had not had this loss, we would not be where we are today, in the midst of caring friends and with the wonderful blessings that we’ve found here.

It’s not theory for me.  Loss is always, always hard.  But there are always bright spots in the grief.  There’s an old expression I remember hearing in middle school:  “When God closes a door, He opens a window.”

So I know that I can keep on holding onto the hope that He allows the hard things in our lives and that He will bring blessings beyond what we could hope or imagine.  (see I Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 3:20.)

So today, I’m thankful that I’m not in control.  Which makes me cringe to type!  And yet, it’s so true.  I’m thankful that I’m learning to rest in His plans.

(Join Iris this month to share Thankful Thursday postings.)

MPM: Week of November 9

I’m not keeping up with bloggy things as I’d like to right now because I’m spending lots of time doing other writing.  I’m finding this to be a really, really really good thing for me.  And I’m doing very well on it; so far I have written 14174 words.  (!!!!!)  When I’ve finished my writing time, I feel so energized.  The other night it occurred to me that my fingers are dancing on the keyboard.  Maybe I’ve found my artistic outlet?  It’s definitely good for my emotions.  So long as I keep the kleenex nearby.

Consequently, I’m not spending much time in the kitchen this week either.  So it’s another quick meal week.

Monday:  Salisbury Steak, from last week’s meatloaf mix.  I’m sneaky that way! 

(OK, OK, I’ll share my tip.  Take 3 pounds of ground beef and make it up your favorite way for meatloaf or hamburgers.  Separate into three piles.  Make each pile into a different meal: meatloaf, hamburgers, salisbury steak, meatballs, etc.  Put one on to eat tonight, then freeze the other two parts.  It’s my own little take on freezer cooking.)

Tuesday:  spaghetti pie (cheating, just a bit. . . this is a freezer meal.)

Wednesday:  Dinner at church.

Thursday:  Out to a friend’s. I’m not sure what we’ll be eating, but I’m sure it’ll be fun!

Friday, Kids’ night:  The Bull’s got the day off, so he gets his choice.  And he’s chosen pork roast, baked potatoes, and steamed broccoli or cauliflower (which means I need to get broccoli or cauliflower from the grocery store this week!) with cheese sauce.

Saturday:  Out and about.  I know it’ll be yummy!

Sunday:  Ginger garlic moose stir fry (I posted the recipe last week.)

You can stop over to the Org Junkie’s blog for more recipes, meal plans, and all sorts of organization tips.

It’s Time To Pray!! Again!!

UPDATED!!!  Glorious, gracious God Who has given us marvelous gifts!  Stellan has come through surgery and is doing . . . great!

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As I write this, baby Stellan has just gone in for his ablation.

He’s just had his first birthday.  Sadly, the actual day was spent in the hospital in his home state.  Because of how quickly he got sick at that time, the doctors have decided that they can no longer wait to do this serious, scary medical procedure for him.

He’s already had one ablation that was not successful.  They had hoped to wait to do a second ablation until he was bigger, older, as that can make for a better outcome.  But his heart will not cooperate with medications, so they can wait no longer.

So MckMama and Stellan are in Boston right now.  Prince Charming should be in Boston soon.

Let’s join them in praying for peace for their parents, and for a successful surgery for their son.  (a little attempt at alliteration for MckMama here!)

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/11/its-going-its-going.html

TT: I Will Never Leave You

(Yes, I know it’s Friday.  Thursday got away from me too quickly.)

Thursday morning I woke up with this song running through my head.

The video is quite a bit heart wrenching in itself, but the chorus just grabs me.

I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always

It reminds me of a verse that I totally love, Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,   ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (NIV)

It utterly amazes me how many different people to whom God has given this promise.

To Jacob:  “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15, NIV)

To Moses:  “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:14, NIV)

To the Israelite people:  “[Moses said,] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

To Joshua:  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

And I know that this is written many more times than I can dig out right now!

It’s very comforting to me right now, right now.  No matter what might be happening in our lives, HE will never leave ME nor forsake ME.  That’s a big thing on my thankful list today.

(As an update: Aunt Mel had her last radiation treatment this week!!!  YAY!! Please pray for her recovery and for whatever comes next.)

(Another update: Stellan is in Boston with his McMama right now for medical care, possibly another ablation next week.  Please join us in praying for his medical care, and his family.)

(Join Iris this month to share Thankful Thursday postings.)

(This post is sponsored by the punctuation mark, The Parentheses (!)  Always a great pair.) 

MPM: Week of November 2

This week my focus is on cooking only a few days, but making it mucho copious abundant so there are leftovers to last the week.  Why?  Well, because I’ve signed up to do this absolutely insane thing this month, and The Bull’s work schedule is quite a bit screwy this week.  So.  No point in making a fantastic meal every night when the kids are happier with PB&J.

Monday:  More French fries made with Calf #2’s potatoes.  And meatloaf and carrot sticks.

Tuesday:  Left overs.

Wednesday:  Dinner at church.

Thursday:   Chili, cornbread, and veggies.

Friday, Kids’ night:  Breakfast for dinner!  Yay, it’s back!  Muffins, eggs, fruit.

Saturday:  Noodles and alfredo sauce and pork casserole.  With the random veggies.

Sunday:  Sloppy Joe’s (or, as my father in law used to say, Untidy Josephs.)

Head over to the Org Junkie’s place to share your menu and recipes

MPM: Week of October 26

Monday:  Eating at a friend’s tonight.

Tuesday:  Visiting with friends, again, yes third day in a row!

Wednesday:  Dinner at church.

Thursday:   Borscht (recipe below.)

Friday, Kids’ night:   Baked chicken, French fries with potatoes grown by Calf #2, random veggies.

Saturday:  Out and about.

Sunday:  Garlic & Ginger Moose stir fry.  Someday I should post a recipe.  Hmm.  OK, you convinced me.  Look out below.

You can look at other recipes and meal ideas over at Org Junkie’s.

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Borscht   (Makes 8 servings, about 2 cups each)

5 medium parsnips
6 large potatoes
18 medium beets
7 to 8 cups broth
1 pound ground meat
1 small onion, diced
8 small garlic cloves, minced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Boil the parsnips, potatoes, and beets until the peels come off easily.  Drain and let cool till you can peel them and dice them into similar sized pieces.

Meanwhile, put the rest of the ingredients in a large pot.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.  Boil for 30 to 60 minutes (while you are working on the root vegetables.)

Add the root veggies to the soup and stir; simmer a few minutes.

Serve with a dash of dill and a dollop of sour cream.

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Garlic-Ginger-Beef Stir Fry   (Makes 8 large servings)

This has been a family favorite for years.  I’ve modified it from the original (Sorry, Better Homes & Gardens!) to make it slightly easier by using frozen stir fry veggies, and to make more of it because we like it a lot.  You can adapt this to your own tastes and use fresh veggies if you like.  It’s also very saucy, because we like extra sauce for our rice.

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or top round steak
1 cup sherry or beef bouillion
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup grated ginger root OR 2 to 4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 and 1/3 cup water
8 cloves garlic, minced
About 3 pounds of frozen stir fry vegetables
Cooking oil, for frying
Hot cooked rice

Partially freeze beef and thinly slice across the grain into bite-sized strips.

Mix the sherry/boullion, soy sauce, corn starch, ground ginger (if using), and water and set aside.

Heat the wok or skillet over high heat; add oil.  (Add more oil as necessary.)  Add grated ginger root (if using) and garlic and stir fry for 15 seconds.  Add frozen vegetables and stir fry (or steam in the oil with the lid) until cooked through.  Remove the veggies from the wok and keep warm in a huge bowl.

Add more oil and heat.  Add beef and stir fry until done.  Remove the meat and mix it with the veggies.

Stir the sauce and pour it in the wok/skillet.  Cook and stir till bubbly and thick.  Pour the sauce over the veggie-meat mixture.

Serve with hot cooked rice.