A happy night...

Driving the bus back to school, I talked to my two students. I asked them about their days and how their weekend had been. As the trip continued, I mused aloud about what to make for dinner and solicited their advice. They had some very good suggestions, some of which one or more of my children wouldn't be likely to eat.

As our conversation continued, the oldest child suggested chicken and dumplings and we talked about how yummy that would be. In my mind I reviewed the ingredients and what prep my oldest could start before I made it home. As we spoke together, I remembered the frozen noodles in my freezer and the deal was sealed. Though I love to make dumplings, it would have taken a bit longer than I would have liked.

Thanking my helpful students, we exited the bus together at school and I went in to prepare them a snack before I left for the day.

Fifteen minutes later, I was on my way to the car and dialing the cell as I walked. My oldest whole heartedly approved of the plan and put the water, chicken and carrots on to boil while I was still on the phone.

By five thirty, we were all sitting down to a wonderful meal. Together Anna and I had added spices and low sodium chicken bullion to boost the flavor. Begrudgingly I was, "allowed" to stir in a can of corn to keep the carrots company. I microwaved some peas to add into my own bowl and my oldest was very grateful I didn't add them to her portion.

Every one of my children, including the small furry one, enjoyed the feast with some of that "Whole Wheat" White bread that has a bit of fiber. My oldest was happy not to be cold anymore and my little ones were just happy.

Sigh... what a nice idea my young charge had... I must thank her tomorrow.

Something beautiful...

As afternoon slipped into evening, I found my way upstairs. Though I have been pondering my standards all weekend and have spent considerable time organizing my school things, I have yet to type out my lessons for the upcoming week.

Just a few moments ago, I was sorting through old greeting cards as I prepared a writing prompt for one of my reading group centers when I found something lovely. Glittering in soft colors, I held a garden in my hand. I sighed and reached for my phone to snap a picture.

Though I am grateful for each season, I love summer best. It won't be long before my world is frozen and frigid for quite some time and I must confess not to be looking forward to darkness and chill. Still, the card reminded me of a wonderful fact; winter is not forever.

Our lives often have periods that can seem like winter. Times when it is hard to believe things will turn around. I have walked through a few of these "Winters". I am glad that I know hard times are not forever.

Faith and friendship see us through. They are the warm mittens and cocoa for our hearts. When our own faith wavers, the love and prayers of those around us can help to bring us "home" if we will simply acknowledge that the dark and cold really isn't the best choice. All that is good is a gift from God.

We are called to the Light... to come out of the darkness... to find peace...

Dark and Light... Lasting Joy... Warmth versus the cold...

It is hard not to think big thoughts on chilly dark nights.

Wishing you good things...
Goodnight my friends.

We stopped counting around eighteen...

My best friend and I made cookies.
...a lot of cookies...
For the last two weeks, we've been baking our favorites and trying out new recipes. Today we packed the containers for our families and children's teachers. We laughed in disbelief as we looked around at the amazing piles of cookies. We shook our heads as we counted the different kinds and ended up stopping when we topped eighteen.

Joy in plastic containers...

Snowmen circle the containers topped with festive green or red lids. I made ten for gifts and kept a giant batch for my own family. Betty had eleven baskets of her own.

My sis and I are a good baking team. Our tastes are different and so are the cookies we created. The end result was a good balance of flavors. We have cherry cookies, pineapple cookies, sugar cookies made with real vanilla sugar that I've been developing for more than a month.... My sis made two varieties of oatmeal cookies and I made my favorite no flour peanut butter cookies... My cinnamon daydreams and chocolate chip banana met her m&m and lemon delights in the tubs of love.

We smiled... sampled and laughed... A new tradition was born. I love my family, my friends... my best friend. I know you understand how I feel. I am sure you have traditions of your own that warm your heart.

I pray that this day and always,
you are given strength for your journey and that you find unimaginable blessings as you walk this adventurous path we call life.
Love,
Joy
and
Peace to you!

May you be blessed!

Cookies for my own kiddos...

Strangers...

Today I met one of my Meetup groups for a hike. "Meetup", for those of you who do not know, is an amazing organization that can help you find people who share your interests.

Do you like to jump out of airplanes and all your friends and family think you're crazy? Strap on a parachute next time and find some adventurers on the Meetup site at http://www.meetup.com/ and your problem is solved.

Do you like to knit afghans while yodeling?... good luck with that one... but who knows... I'm betting you could find a sewing club and a yodeling club... perhaps you'd be the one to unite the groups!

My outing today was at a local Metro park. There were fifteen of us with happy smiles as we set out into the forest and fifteen of us with delighted sighs when we hit the parking lot chattering about where to go for lunch. Before today, I had not met this particular group of people. Our group is large and there are a good many events so it isn't odd to find yourself in a group of strangers.

As I sat around the table with my trail mates, I smiled. The friendly strangers from the parking lot were now delightful acquaintances. Over time they may become friends. Regardless, they made for wonderful companions on my journey today. Meeting new people can be hard. However, I have found that when others share a favorite passion, it gives you a very good place to start talking.

I would strongly support checking out my link to Meetup and seeing what is in your area. (These are not groups for dating, though many members are single and it is not forbidden to ask an interested member for a cup of coffee. ) They are for everyone who would like to find others of like interests and make new friends along the way.

Another idea for those of you who like to be active in the winter is to check out your local park system's calendar, ours has a plethora of activities for those who'd rather bundle up then sit out the winter on the couch! My park system will even give me a patch if I come to seven of the hikes and will give me refreshments each time I come. How's that for a fabulous use of taxpayers' money?

I wish you happy things, blessings and peace.

May the One who made us all,
whose birth we will celebrate in less than two weeks,
be with you,
tonight,
tomorrow...
forever!

Dear ones... cover any delicate eyes...

This evening I helped my oldest make cookies to take to her Grandma's house for the "Cousin Cookie Exchange". It seemed like an ordinary, but pleasant evening. The craziness began when I picked up some sweetened condensed milk to make our favorite sugar cookies.

While I was at the store, I also picked up a Gingerbread house. Each year my oldest and I enjoy making a home for Santa. This year after Halloween I had picked up a "Haunted House" for just a few dollars and honestly I imagined that we could use both the Halloween home and the Winter Gingerbread home's pieces and make more icing. I hoped that the resulting masterpiece would make a good memory.

Getting out the Halloween house made my oldest daughter laugh out loud. The wheels in her head began to turn. After a bit of protest, I decided to support the mischievous idea. It seems Santa's workshop had blown up and had to be rebuilt. As we built the home, we came up with a plausible explanation for the craziness.

Perhaps I won't tell you the story, some delicate readers might faint. Suffice it to say that it was a wild tale that she and I will recall for years to come.

Now and always, I wish you harmless fun,
especially the kind that involves gingerbread.

May you be blessed.