It's Time

A time to decorate and a time to put everything back in it's place. I know, I know, that's not part of the Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8 scripture, but after days of celebrating Christmas with the family, and having the house in Christmas chaos, it's time to put all the decorations away and get my house back in order. It`s also time to start to think about the New Year that's ahead. With this last day of 2011, I find myself thinking about the changes that I want to see in me. I think it was Mahatma Gandhi who said And while I am not one to make "New Years' resolutions" I do know that there are some things in my life that I want to change. Way back when I was in school, I remember for one my assignments in English class we were write our own obituary. I know that sounds kind of depressing. But when you think about it, what you want to be said about you at your funeral, well that's how you need to live your life now.

So as I write my final post for 2011, I want to leave you with my favourite scripture verse. From Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And while I do not know what 2012 nor the future holds for me I do know the one who holds my future.

Blessings

Making Memories

Over the past few days we've been busy with playing games, sitting in the hotub, eating good food, spending time together with our family, and of course taking many pictures. Trying our best to make each moment count. We had so much fun together and as always, the time went w-a-y too quickly.

Blessings

Storm Day

oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is mmhmm delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

With this stormy weather, I am glad we are not on the road. Since we ended up taking Kyle back to Orillia yesterday because he needed to work we were thankfully not driving today through this storm. While I do love the snow and the slower pace it tends to bring, I hate driving in storms.

Days like this are good to be curled up by the cozy fire and read a book, or blog, or even start some soup in the crock pot. Since we both love potato soup, I decided to give the one that Krystle made for us a try. Baked Potato Soup - Slow cooker style
Ingredients:
- 5lbs Russet Potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 10 cloves of garlic (you can use whole, crushed, or minced)
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 16 oz cream cheese (I used 8oz regular and 8oz lowfat)
- 1 TBS seasoned salt or all-purpose seasoning
Garnishes:
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions
Directions:
- Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning and chicken stock to slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.
- Remove and puree the garlic cloves (if you used whole cloves) along with 1/2 to 1/3rd of the soup, and then reintroduce to the remainder in the crock pot.
- Stir in the cream cheese and allow to melt. Stir every 10-15 minutes until soup is well blended.
- Top with your choice of garnishes, serve & enjoy!

Blessings

Home for Christmas

Having everyone home for Christmas made my heart swell with love. And of course I couldn't resist taking a family photo. "maybe this can be my Christmas card for next year?"

Since the fall, Wayne & I have been empty nesters and over time we've gotten used to the quiet. Having the boys home for a few days and then celebrating Christmas with the whole clan, our house was full of laughter, good food and much love. Our time together was very special and I'm so thankful for each moment.

So from our family to yours "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Blessings

almost

We're almost ready to celebrate our family Christmas. There's only a few minor things to finish up and then we're ready! The presents are all under the tree. The baking is finished. The table is set and most of the food prepared. The stockings are hung waiting to be emptied and worn. er, um what? Yes, that's right. After our kids empty their stockings, they wear them. It's a silly tradition that Kyle started a few years ago and one I look forward to every year. It makes me smile when my adult son gets silly and it's encouraging that his siblings soon follow suit. Since our kids all live in different cities, it's hard to have everyone home at the same time. Needless to say I am bursting with excitement at having the whole family together tomorrow to celebrate.

Blessings

Winter Solstice

Today marks the winter solstice, the first day of winter and the darkest day of the year. It's all due to Earth's tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21. Making it the shortest day and longest night of the year, and thankfully only lasts only a moment in time. Dark days like this can be crushing if we don’t remember that the solstice heralds the beginning of a renewal. From this day forward, the world (at least in the northern hemisphere) will only get brighter. The light will return, slowly, but surely. But it can be tough, sometimes, to remember this simple fact. For many people especially those who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) - like I do - this time of year can feel like a heavy burden of despair hanging over their heads. Especially without snow, I find that these short daylight days seem even more gloomy. Thankfully, tomorrow the days start to get longer - Yay!

Blessings

Snowflakes

With all the rain and gray weather we've been having, it's made me realize how much I love and miss snow. Did you know that Snowflakes form in a wide variety of intricate shapes, leading to the popular expression that "no two are alike". Although statistically possible, it is very unlikely for any two snowflakes to appear exactly alike due to the many changes in temperature and humidity the snowflake experiences during its fall to earth. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through differing temperature and humidity. Each snowflake in unique in structure. Why then should I be surprised that I was made so uniquely. After all if God decided that no two snowflakes would be alike, it shouldn't surprise me that no two people are alike. We've all been given different gifts, strengths, weaknesses, abilities, likes & dislikes. Let's celebrate our own uniqueness, rather than trying to blend in with everyone else.

Blessings