Saturday, May 24, 2014
Shrubs, not shrubbery
Leave it to me to pick up on a trend several years later. I recently saw a blog post about a "shrub" and it sounded good. I looked around for other recipes and found quite a few, all from several years back. Macarons are old news too and I only recently tried them. And knitting socks is rather passe too. Well la ti da. I know have three shrubs resting on the kitchen counter (see photo). Strawberry which will probably become Strawberry-Basil in the next step. Mango-lime with nifty-looking-for-now lime slices that will undoubtedly look cruddy after soaking in vinegar for a few days. I have the highest hopes for the third one; Fennel-Apple-Rhubarb because I love almost anything rhubarb. Now I just have to be patient for something like two weeks to find out if they are any good.
I'm going to stop now.
Buying sock yarn, that is. I have enough for... five? pairs and I won't buy any more until I'm about done with that. And one set coming from the UK. It cost less than the same brand in a shop here, even with mailing, and ended up costing me nothing because I had Discover Rewards I didn't know about until I was checking out on Amazon. Pretty cool. Although I'm such a ninny that I still wonder if I should have saved the Rewards for...something...else? Better? More decadent?
This is Cascade Yarn's Heritage Paint in color 9805 and it cost 18.00 at Never Enough Knitting in downtown Wheaton. That place is always an experience!! (Sniff sniff sniff). I promised myself to make that the next place I go for yarn because I love their prices and I like to support brick-and-mortar yarn shops (when they deserve it! Don't get me started on the goofy place in Glen Ellyn!)
This is Cascade Yarn's Heritage Paint in color 9805 and it cost 18.00 at Never Enough Knitting in downtown Wheaton. That place is always an experience!! (Sniff sniff sniff). I promised myself to make that the next place I go for yarn because I love their prices and I like to support brick-and-mortar yarn shops (when they deserve it! Don't get me started on the goofy place in Glen Ellyn!)
Friday, May 23, 2014
Sock yarn
I've gotten hooked back onto knitting socks because of Claudia. I realized that the key, for me anyway, is to KNIT socks. No fancy laces or stitches or yarns, just plain old stockinette with fun yarn colors. Knit, no purl (well almost none) and no yarn overs (well almost none) and I'm getting much faster. My first sock fits so well! I'm about 1/3 done with the mate and it should go a little quicker.
I got out of work early because my new bosses are actually NICE and so I drove to LaGrange to a nifty yarn store and bought just ONE SKEIN. That part isn't true, I bought two skeins but ONLY two and I resisted the cool wood knitting needles she was handing me. I'm sure I'll be back. They had a lovely array of yarn---their website does not do the place justice. And I stopped at one of my very favorite restaurants in Berwyn while I was out thatta way. A good way two spend a gift hour! A three hour outing that cost about 45 for the yarn and 16 for the dinner (including a very generous tip) with tons of good-to-reheat leftovers! Yay!!!
I got out of work early because my new bosses are actually NICE and so I drove to LaGrange to a nifty yarn store and bought just ONE SKEIN. That part isn't true, I bought two skeins but ONLY two and I resisted the cool wood knitting needles she was handing me. I'm sure I'll be back. They had a lovely array of yarn---their website does not do the place justice. And I stopped at one of my very favorite restaurants in Berwyn while I was out thatta way. A good way two spend a gift hour! A three hour outing that cost about 45 for the yarn and 16 for the dinner (including a very generous tip) with tons of good-to-reheat leftovers! Yay!!!
Monday, May 19, 2014
It runs in the family
Saturday my family got together. There's just the three of us now. I thought we were getting together to celebrate Mother's Day, my birthday and my son's birthday. Apparently my mother thought we were getting together to help her get through the five-year anniversary of her husband's passing. Nevermind that he was my father and my son's grandfather and the only real male role model my son had. Nevermind that my son is in the military and may not be home for his next birthday. Nevermind that my son is now 20 and may end up living somewhere far away. Nevermind that it was my 50th. She needed a distraction and we were it.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Where to begin
I had thought it would be rather easy to find a good, reliable, in-depth, self-paced Bible study on the internet.
Still looking...
I did find an interesting weekly devotional called Prayer's Apprentice by Timothy Jones, former editor of Christianity Today (it's a small world after all... it's a small world after all...)
Still looking...
I did find an interesting weekly devotional called Prayer's Apprentice by Timothy Jones, former editor of Christianity Today (it's a small world after all... it's a small world after all...)
Where not to begin?
This really is turning out to be more difficult than I thought. I tried some of the big schools and it looks like only Moody has any "personal enrichment" classes... at 49.00 per class, that might be a last resort. I also can't tell much about the classes themselves-it seems like they send you something for your money, which would be fine, but I expected a better explanation of what I might be buying.
There are all sorts of Bible studies on line. I have to know something about the source/writer(s) before I'll plunge into anything. I'm also looking for something that is not geared for seekers nor for graduate-level theologians. So far nothing has fit the bill. Almost everything seems to be geared to the absolute novice and I'm pretty far from that now.
Well, the search continues.
My good friend just gave me a daily devotional Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie. So far-quite good. We've been walking through the One Year Book of Psalms (another daily devotional) and that has been very interesting. I never really looked at Psalm 119 before. I've been thinking about looking for a print book about that Psalm since there doesn't seem to be anything much online about it.
There are all sorts of Bible studies on line. I have to know something about the source/writer(s) before I'll plunge into anything. I'm also looking for something that is not geared for seekers nor for graduate-level theologians. So far nothing has fit the bill. Almost everything seems to be geared to the absolute novice and I'm pretty far from that now.
Well, the search continues.
My good friend just gave me a daily devotional Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie. So far-quite good. We've been walking through the One Year Book of Psalms (another daily devotional) and that has been very interesting. I never really looked at Psalm 119 before. I've been thinking about looking for a print book about that Psalm since there doesn't seem to be anything much online about it.
Boom Crunch
There was no squeal at the beginning because I have anti-lock-brakes. Well, I should probably use the past tense because I think my van is totaled. It was used, nine-year-old model. Still... I never got a chance to camp in it (pout). All this to explain why I have no news to report for today. No spiritual news anyway. On the plus side, I had not yet put new tires on the van (wan smile).
So much for a daily post!
It has been a rough two weeks. Car accident and then a ton of stuff at work. Capped by my son taking off for a few days on a little adventure with a friend. Kept me far too busy to stick to my plan for this blog. But one of the good things about getting older is coming to some peace with my limitations. So I start again.
It is amazing to me how fast we adapt to new technology. I don't know when this changed, but I have found it completely wonderful that two of my favorite radio stations now have instant-play websites. I downloaded some software onto my desktop computer that acts as an alarm clock (as long as I put it into sleep mode rather than shut down) and one feature triggers a URL so now I can rise to With Heart and Voice at 6:00 on Sunday mornings and I don't have to fiddle with antennas or anything to get perfect reception. Free software too, by the way.
It is amazing to me how fast we adapt to new technology. I don't know when this changed, but I have found it completely wonderful that two of my favorite radio stations now have instant-play websites. I downloaded some software onto my desktop computer that acts as an alarm clock (as long as I put it into sleep mode rather than shut down) and one feature triggers a URL so now I can rise to With Heart and Voice at 6:00 on Sunday mornings and I don't have to fiddle with antennas or anything to get perfect reception. Free software too, by the way.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Worth
I wish I had something valuable to say. I enjoy reading other people's writing/blogging, but when I see my own, I sort-of cringe inwardly. I feel empty, with no creation or imagination within to draw out and give life to. Vanity of vanities-all is vanity.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
No More Complaining!
In light of my decision to end complaining in my life, I would like to express some gratitude.
My son got home from Battle Drill about 2:30 this afternoon so we were able to spend some quality time together. He even wore his ACLs so he got a "Thank you for your service!" shouted to him across a parking lot and a large french fries for free at the local eatery. So I'm grateful to spend time with him. I'm grateful that people honored his service. I'm grateful that he is doing stuff he can be proud of.
AND I GOT A PRESENT! He bought me a nifty print version of The Princess Bride. I'm grateful that he got me a gift.
And I have three pieces of pie waiting for me in the fridge. Well, two and a half, since I already ate part of the Honey Pie. Not bad. I don't love cornmeal in a pie. I was very disappointed that they were already out of apricot pie, so I just ordered the next thing on the list. I didn't think the Rocky Road would survive the rest of the trip. I'm grateful for the lovely trip, listening to my son's mix cd. I'm grateful that my $2k car is running like a champ! I'm grateful that I could spend the day doing whatever I felt like. I'm grateful to live in this free country and to have the cabbage necessary to buy not just what I need but some of what I want as well.
NOT COMPLAINT: I wish my son would stop smoking!!!
My son got home from Battle Drill about 2:30 this afternoon so we were able to spend some quality time together. He even wore his ACLs so he got a "Thank you for your service!" shouted to him across a parking lot and a large french fries for free at the local eatery. So I'm grateful to spend time with him. I'm grateful that people honored his service. I'm grateful that he is doing stuff he can be proud of.
AND I GOT A PRESENT! He bought me a nifty print version of The Princess Bride. I'm grateful that he got me a gift.
And I have three pieces of pie waiting for me in the fridge. Well, two and a half, since I already ate part of the Honey Pie. Not bad. I don't love cornmeal in a pie. I was very disappointed that they were already out of apricot pie, so I just ordered the next thing on the list. I didn't think the Rocky Road would survive the rest of the trip. I'm grateful for the lovely trip, listening to my son's mix cd. I'm grateful that my $2k car is running like a champ! I'm grateful that I could spend the day doing whatever I felt like. I'm grateful to live in this free country and to have the cabbage necessary to buy not just what I need but some of what I want as well.
NOT COMPLAINT: I wish my son would stop smoking!!!
More coincidence
Earlier today I posted that the random number I was assigned at Bang Bang Pie Shop was 64, the year of my birth and that today is my 50th birthday. I went to dinner with my son at Portillo's and guess what number I was randomly assigned by the cash register? Why 64 of course! I was also sent a 15-percent off coupon for Half Price Books so we went there and I found a $2.00 book called 50 Things To Do When You Turn 50. AND the first advice given is to stop complaining. And just to put a cherry on top of my day of coincidences, that portion of the book was written by my distant relative Garrison Keillor.
Waiting in line
I don't know whether to feel like an idiot or to feel justified in making the long trip to the Bang Bang Pie Shop and finding I'm just one of many people who thought of that on this beautiful, warm spring Sunday morning. And Mother's Day. And my 50th birthday. When my son has battle drill and even if he wasn't away for the week-end would probably still have done nothing for me anyway. Am I feeling sorry for myself again? YES! Am I almost over it... yes? I will be soon, I promise. And doubt anyone came here because of my birthday (sorry for the poor grammar above)
And what number do they randomly give me for my order? 64! How cool is that? The year of my birth. I wish it wasn't quite so long ago, but still. And The Doors are playing, and I just heard them on a mix-cd my son made for me that I was playing on the way here. Yes, he does love me. He made me a 5-cd mix for my trips to MI a few weeks ago. I'm finally getting a chance to hear the last one today. One more stop at The Hoosier Mama Pie Shop and then I'm on my way back home. Too bad they already ran out of apricot pie here. That woulda been excellent I'm sure. Instead I'm settling for a ham biscuit with ramps and dijon and a slice of honey pie with lavendar sea salt. Poor me, right? :-)
And what number do they randomly give me for my order? 64! How cool is that? The year of my birth. I wish it wasn't quite so long ago, but still. And The Doors are playing, and I just heard them on a mix-cd my son made for me that I was playing on the way here. Yes, he does love me. He made me a 5-cd mix for my trips to MI a few weeks ago. I'm finally getting a chance to hear the last one today. One more stop at The Hoosier Mama Pie Shop and then I'm on my way back home. Too bad they already ran out of apricot pie here. That woulda been excellent I'm sure. Instead I'm settling for a ham biscuit with ramps and dijon and a slice of honey pie with lavendar sea salt. Poor me, right? :-)
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Creating... something
Setting aside thoughts of quality, I'm just happy to have created something-anything, really. Last night and today, so far. Whew!
Midlife crisis
Woo boy. Although "crisis" seems a little melodramatic to me. And "midlife" suggests I will live to be 100. Not impossible but the odds are against me.
Who do I want to be? Who am I really, inside? How much am I not being authentic? The world is my oyster and I don't know what the pearl looks like, for me. I've just lived my life, not really steering the ship. I know now that God is in real control of my life, but he isn't into telling me what to do. James MacDonald says that God gives us each the really big box of crayons (choices in life) and does not sit there waiting for us to pick the one right crayon to use. He gives us the whole box so that we can use them in any way we see fit (free will) and often delights in the various ways we take off. We are made in His image and he is creative and imaginative and inventive and rule-bending (in all ways but one-SIN). He created sunsets and dodo birds and jellyfish and dogs and pine trees and protozoa and Mars and...
So. Let's start really basic. Am I visual, aural, active, what? Would I rather see something, hear something, smell something, taste something or do something?
Its a little like Gary Chapman's five love languages. I've pondered that list many times and it just seems like I don't really have a strong preference.
What makes me happy? Practically nothing, to tell the truth. That's where the title comes in! So what gives me joy? I love routine and I like surprises (mostly). I look forward all week to my Saturday morning routine. Different in detail every week but similar. I don't know if that's a red herring, though, because of the whole title thing again and maybe I just have such a pathetic life that even the farmer's market, Salvation Army and Hobby Lobby are just barely above such a low plateau! Kidding-I think...
Who do I want to be? Who am I really, inside? How much am I not being authentic? The world is my oyster and I don't know what the pearl looks like, for me. I've just lived my life, not really steering the ship. I know now that God is in real control of my life, but he isn't into telling me what to do. James MacDonald says that God gives us each the really big box of crayons (choices in life) and does not sit there waiting for us to pick the one right crayon to use. He gives us the whole box so that we can use them in any way we see fit (free will) and often delights in the various ways we take off. We are made in His image and he is creative and imaginative and inventive and rule-bending (in all ways but one-SIN). He created sunsets and dodo birds and jellyfish and dogs and pine trees and protozoa and Mars and...
So. Let's start really basic. Am I visual, aural, active, what? Would I rather see something, hear something, smell something, taste something or do something?
Its a little like Gary Chapman's five love languages. I've pondered that list many times and it just seems like I don't really have a strong preference.
What makes me happy? Practically nothing, to tell the truth. That's where the title comes in! So what gives me joy? I love routine and I like surprises (mostly). I look forward all week to my Saturday morning routine. Different in detail every week but similar. I don't know if that's a red herring, though, because of the whole title thing again and maybe I just have such a pathetic life that even the farmer's market, Salvation Army and Hobby Lobby are just barely above such a low plateau! Kidding-I think...
Friday, May 2, 2014
We aren't all pretty Christians
Tonight I really resonate with Maggie the Cat. "I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof!...." "Well, just jump off." "Where? Into what?"
Maggie knew that where she was at was not good, but Fear kept her (and everyone around her) from facing the truth and then being able to move beyond. I get afraid of the unknown too. If I let myself just feel, I feel anxious and afraid by nature. Or by nurture, really. Enough bad stuff happens when you're looking for it and you wind up convinced that life sucks. That's why we have intellect, though, I think. To think things through and to reason our way off that "hot tin roof". Take a chance on trusting something and see if that one thing doesn't pan out. I took a chance on trusting God and I haven't been let down by him yet. Other people-other Christians-sure!, but not God. I slide into feeling scared every so often, but as soon as I correct my focus back on him and his promises and his guidance (via the Bible), I soon find myself back on a secure path, humming a tune as I stride toward the future.
Maggie knew that where she was at was not good, but Fear kept her (and everyone around her) from facing the truth and then being able to move beyond. I get afraid of the unknown too. If I let myself just feel, I feel anxious and afraid by nature. Or by nurture, really. Enough bad stuff happens when you're looking for it and you wind up convinced that life sucks. That's why we have intellect, though, I think. To think things through and to reason our way off that "hot tin roof". Take a chance on trusting something and see if that one thing doesn't pan out. I took a chance on trusting God and I haven't been let down by him yet. Other people-other Christians-sure!, but not God. I slide into feeling scared every so often, but as soon as I correct my focus back on him and his promises and his guidance (via the Bible), I soon find myself back on a secure path, humming a tune as I stride toward the future.
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