Christmas Baking

I have had so much fun baking today. I think it's all the wonderful shows I've discovered this year on the Food Network. I love challenging recipes, but I find that when Christmas rolls around I return to the old favorites. Last year I bought a little book, "Christmas with Paula Deen", and found it was full of so many recipes I ate growing up. I made the Date Nut Bars and then decided to try a new recipe...this one is going on the "required to make every year" list. They are wonderful! Here's the recipe...
Almond Danish Swirls

two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup slivered almonds
two 8-ounce cans refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg white

glaze

2/3 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
4 tsp milk
1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, almond extract, and sugar until fluffy. Fold half of the almonds into the mixture.
2.Separate 1 can of dough into four rectangles. Firmly press the perforations to seal. Press or roll each piece of dough to form a 7 by 4-inch rectangle, and spread each with about 2 Tbl. of the cream cheese filling to within 1/4 inch of the edges. Starting at the short end, roll each rectangle tightly into a cylinder. Repeat with the other can of dough and remaining filling. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees while the rolls are chilling. Remove from the refrigerator and cut each roll into 4 slices. Place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4. In a small bowl, combine the egg white with 1 tsp. water. Brush over the swirls. Sprinkle with the remaining almonds.
5. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until light brown.
6. While the swirls are baking, combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Cool the swirls for 3 minutes on wire racks placed over a sheet of waxed paper. Drizzle the icing over the warm swirls. Eat four of them and then if on Weight Watchers, stop and calculate the points. When calculations are complete reevaluate if you intend on weighing in this week... Yum is all I can say.

Bible Class

About 13 weeks ago I determined to make some needed changes in my life, only this time I did something different. I poured out my heart to God. I had grown apathetic. I was worn out emotionally, physically and spiritually. I sought God and He heard my cry. There are many posts that could come from this moment, but tonight I am mindful of one specific blessing. That is my Bible class for 3rd through 5th graders. The morning after my prayer I went to the bookstore and found a wonderful curriculum called FBI (Faithful Bible Investigators) produced by 21st Century Christian. I asked my soon- to- become very dear friend, Jolene, to teach with me, and we went to work. It has been amazing. I don't believe I have ever had as much fun teaching a class before. She is right there with me every step of the way, encouraging. Our students listen.We are learning. They are learning. Our class continues to grow. We get it right more times than not. God is so faithful to give us the desires of our heart when we ask Him. Last week we spent the afternoon making cookies and the children then shared them with the members. We just finished the first quarter and are now starting the next 13 week session. I'm really looking forward to it. For all of you fellow Bible class teachers out there, you know that is a feeling to cherish.

New Blog

I have created a new blog, and can't figure out how to transfer my old one:( My new blog is www.applesforjam.blogspot.com.It will still be a simple blog, written to share a bit of our family life with friends and family who are spread over many miles.

Hot Chocolate

Today was a busy day and my to-do list was long. We managed to take five sacks of outgrown clothes (just since August!) to Goodwill, do our grocery shopping, and walk on the treadmill- but school didn't get finished until 9:30pm. That doesn't say much about my priorities today:( On Friday we will be half finished with our school year, and I believe we are all three ready for a Christmas break. Terry had a study session until 10pm so the boys stayed up late and we greeted him with cookies and hot chocolate. It's amazing how a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows can rescue a day. After we untied the candy on our Christmas countdown, the boys went to bed with smiles on their faces. It definitely beat the moanings and groanings heard earlier in the evening. I can't imagine why they were not wanting to discuss why the colonists were upset about taxation without representation.I made a mistake. I knew it was too much for one day. But at least I knew how to end the day well.

Bittersweet Family Moments

There are some things that you never receive advice about, and one of those things is advice on how to heal your child's broken heart when an older sibling moves away. J and C married and moved a little over an hour away almost four years ago. But today it was almost as if this was the first time. Big sister is heading out on a grand adventure to her new life in Texas. And her little brothers want to go with her. They really do. Over the past six months each of their four older siblings has moved. We have gone from everyone within an hours drive, to K and family in Birmingham, B and family also in Birmingham, J in Nashville, and now C in Texas. It's alot of changes for these two little guys. Tonight before bed, C asked me if I would tuck him in "snug as a bug in a rug" like his sister did. When I reassured him that I was the one who taught her how to do it, he replied, "You miss her, too." I do, terribly. She makes me laugh. She helps me create beautiful things. She is my daughter, and I will miss her.

A beautiful day on the lake, celebrating Terry's second chance at life.

Giving the World to My Family

It has been many months since I wrote on my blog, and after much thought I determined why that was. I am ready to head in a new direction. I want to write about what matters to me. About swapping recipes, making aprons and doll dresses, hanging clothes on the line, and cheering on those I love. There is so much I want to learn--how to listen better, how to encourage, how to let go, and how to challenge myself. I want to feed my family better. I want to show my family that some foods are better than others. I want to take time to learn new sewing skills. I want to find new ways to add healthy activities to my life. So here goes. As one of my favorite homemakers,Tessa Kiros says, "May I just get to the end of the road and say, I have done this important thing in my life and I have done it well."

Log Cabin Life

This evening I finaly found some pictures that I took a while back that I had been meaning to post. We went and spent the weekend at the home of the John Parkers if Nashville. They have an old restored cabin on a beautiful piece of countryside. The hills of Tennessee can't be beat on a Springtime morning. The boys were up bright and early to fish and play in the creek. They enjoyed the horses and fishing, while we enjoyed the wonderful meal and the fellowship. It was such a lovely relaxing weekend. It still makes me smilejust thinking about it:)

A Day in Nashville

On the morning of the 23rd (of May) the family decided to drive to Nashville and surprise Jon for the day, with a late birthday party. Justin took him golfing, and then to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant for lunch. When he walked in the door he was truly surprised. That was a first! We ate for 2 1/2 hours, and the food was amazing. A real Italian feast. I felt as if we were at a wedding in Sicily with all the courses. Katie had made him a wonderful poster with scriptures imposed over a backlit photo of him with his guitar. She has such a gift for gift giving, and always seems to know what would be most meaningful to the recipient.We then headed over to the Science Museum for the afternoon. The boys had a great time, along with the little ones. One of the most memorable was feeling "weightless" on the climbing wall with their brother-in-law, Justin. He's always up for trying something new!We went by to see Jon's new apartment...great neighborhood. I think all of us felt better about him starting this new phase of life in Nashville now that we can imagine his surroundings. We sure do miss seeing him all the time, but are excited to see him making his dreams come true.

Tim's Graduation

My son-in-law, Tim, graduated from Harding recently, with his MBA. We are so proud of him. We all made a trip to Searcy to see him cross the stage, along with my nephew, Jason, who was completing his degree. We shared a wonderful weekend with friends and family.We stayed with our friends Ken and Teresa, who treated us royally with homemade blueberry pancakes for breakfast! Everyone was able to be there, except for Jon who was traveling with his soccer team.I had a nice visit with my friend, Mona Lee, though never long enough to feel like we've even begun to catch up. Being with all of my brothers and sistes was especially wonderful. This past year, with all its struggles, was much easier because they carried my load. Gabriel, Maria and Julia are so blessed to have such a hard working Dad. To work a full time job, create websites as a side business, and earn an MBA at the same time, shows a lot of diligence on his part. More importantly he is a wonderful husband to our daughter, Katie,and is active in his local congregation. Hopefully, now that his work is completed he can find a little free time for himself.

Charlotte Kimberly

One of the many delightful aspects of these past few weeks has been sharing our days with our granddaughter Charlotte. Since moving here in April from Sicily, we have been able to take many walks, visits and spend time playing in the pool in the backyard. She is a sweet, content child who has brought much joy to our lives. Today I came home with a new dollhouse for the grandbabies. Charlotte was pretty excited about it!

Taekwondo

In January of this year I was praying for my two youngest sons and their futures. I wanted to get them involved in something positive, which would NOT involve competition. While browsing at Hobby Lobby I came across an ornament to hang on the tree which was a dark skinned little boy in a Taekwondo outfit...jumping. It reminded me of Christian, who leaps and bounds through life, but also of Jordan with the determination in the face. After looking into what was available I found that FHU offered a class two nights a week. That's five minutes away:) The class age ranges from 5 to 45. All three instructors have their black belts and are fellow believers...and also adoptive parents. It has been a wonderful semester. The boys have already earned their yellow belts, and will test for their high yellow belts on Monday.Last week Chelsea and Justin went with them to see their work. They were so excited to show off at something NO ONE else in the family had ever done!I have two new patches to sew on before next weeks final class for the semester, followed by "Ninja Night"!I just love it when my prayers are answered so clearly, and I don't have to wait til heaven to see the answer.

Square Foot Gardening

This Spring we decided to expand our gardening efforts and move off of the back porch. In years past we have been gone much of the summer and were unable to benefit from any small bounty we might have been blessed with. Since we will be staying home this summer we have built our first 4x4 frame, with it's neat one foot sections, and planted our crop:) We have spinach, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, basil, onions, and two types of tomatoes. On the porch we are growing rosemary, sage, parsley, and lavendar. We have strawberries, blackberries and raspberries growing along the fence. The weather has been perfect, apparently, for growing things. My yard is in full bloom. I have vases of creamy pink and white peonies in every room. I've passed them on to friends. I have yellow irises in the beds, and azaleas blooming out front. The pink dogwood we planted last year is gorgeous. This past weekend when Chelsea was home visiting I took her around the yard and was pointing out the different things growing, and it suddenly hit me. I am my Mother! She did the same thing to me (and sad to say, I was not that enthusiastic:)She had never been able to grow anything when I was young, and then once we were gone she developed a green thumb. The very same thing had happenned to me. It made me think.Priorities change. Life teaches us patience. Time spent in the garden gives us the gift of peace and contentment while we are working,and then again at harvest time.Chelsea has also planted a garden this year. I'm so happy that she won't be waiting 50 years before she experiences the joys of eating healthy food from her own backyard.

Sliding Down the Hill

Looking through some old pictures taken last summer, I ran across these that were taken with Jordan and Christian when their cousins were visiting. Dear Dana came up with the ultimate water slide on the spur of the moment, and the boys enjoyed their afternoon sliding with Alex, Sam and Seth.And I enjoyed sitting on the porch smocking while Dana squirted soap down the slide:) She's a fun friend!

Linens

Linens, starch, lavendar linen spray, new ribbons- eggshell blue, pinks, greens. Once a year I pull everything out of my buffet and linen armoire. I set up my ironing board and small fan, and plug in the laptop. As the music begins to play, the mood is set."Anne of Green Gables", a glass of sweet tea, and stacks of matching napkins tied with sweet ribbons." These are the napkins painted by Edna Thbaraj for Great Aunt Rema to match her violet dishes", I share with my daughters. "This is the tablecloth I bought at the Tuesday market along the Arno River in Florence. I was with Joyce Shackelford and she helped translate for me. The merchant said I was "simpatico" so he sold it to me for only 25,000 lire. I think he loved you three little ones and was just being kind." Each stack has a memory. Meals shared with those who have gone on. The red cloth that covered the funeral cart in Italy for dear Roberto Masini, that now graces our table each holiday.A new South African cloth brought by our most recent guest, Jean Lambert as she is here preparing for her daughters' upcoming marriage. Everything smooth, starched, neat. No loose ends. For the rest of the year, each time I get out a set of sheets to make the beds for a new guest, I make a new memory. Each tablecloth as it is refolded has a story to tell about the conversations that were shared above it.For two or three days a year I get a chance to reminesce and be grateful. So many lives have touched ours. How blessed we have been.

The Gathering

This past week, the daughter of our friends Terri and Dennis Rine lost her life in a senseless tragedy. Micah, having just turned 26 this past week, was an amazing young woman, and a wonderful OB/GYN nurse. She touched the lives of so many with her kindnesses and the joy by which she lived her life.There is much we do not know at this time. There was a shooting, her husband says accidental, but what we do know is that she is gone from our midst.And it is such a great loss. It makes all around us feel fleeting. It makes life seem insecure. This could be our daughter, our friend. Those could be our broken lives.So last night, as one by one each of our children and grandchildren migrated into the small upstairs schoolroom where Terry was attempting to grade papers, I had to smile.It started with a conversation between Terry and Justin.Brandon joined in.Then Jon with the guitar.Katie joins in singing along. They're all singing, Gabriel is playing a game in the midst of all the feet, baby Julia is kicking her feet.Tim and Maria come looking for Katie. Chelsea and I hear the commotion and go to check what is going on.Here come Jordan and Christian. The room is small. Like 10X10 small. But love was there. And security. For that night, we were all together. We loved one another. We would always be there for each other. Conversations have drifted this past week to family compounds, big rooms with built in library shelves, land for gardening and flowers and all of us together-- three generations, maybe four.But Micah taught us one very valuable last lesson.We only have today. And for today, God has brought us together, and for this we rejoice.We don't need a family compound. We can find each other, even in a little 10X10 room.

I'm Back!

It is hard to believe that it has been an entire year since I last posted. I have been encouraged by so many friends who, unknown to me, were regular followers, to continue with my musings on the daily joys and trials that make up life. For a short, condensed summary of the past year...In August Terry and I celebrated thirty years of marriage, followed the next day with emergency heart surgery to replace his aorta and valve. Becaus of a long recovery period we were unable to make our trip to Italy and spent the Fall semester at home while Terry recuperated.Jonathan went in his stead and did an outstanding job as interim director in his Dad's absence. In October, our granddaughter, Charlotte Kimberly, was born in Catania Sicily.In October, Jordan experienced his first broken wrist, while waveboarding, and had to be in a cast for six weeks. In November, the older children gathered their resources to fly Brandon and family home for a visit.We all enjoyed this time of being together so much.In January, little Julia Marcail joined her little brother Gabriel, 3, and sister Maria, 2, born just one day after her sister's 2nd birthday.I was hospitalized during this time with what turned out to be esophageal spasms, and grateful it was a problem that was easily treated with medication.In March, after many weeks of joy and excitement, Justin and Chelsea once again sent their unborn child straight into God's waiting arms. In April, Brandon and Kristin returned from Sicily for him to complete his masters work at FHU.Tim finished his MBA at Harding in early May. I guess the truth is that it is impossible to condense a years worth of living in a few paragraphs! So from this point onwards, my intent is to share the joys in living in this world, and to encourage my family and friends to live quiet lives serving our Lord...lives of contentment.