Home

"May I a small house and a large garden have. And a few friends, and many book both true, both wise, and both delightful, too."  Abraham Cowley

Our New Home on Albritton Lane

There is a part of me that is hesitant to write this down because I am fearful of something going wrong at the last minute...but here goes. Anyone who knows me at all knows that my home is my "nest". It is important to me that our home be a haven from the world, and a safe place for my children to "fall" when the world is harsh. I want our home to be a reflection of Him. I've never cared much for cathedral ceilings and crown molding, etc. I can enjoy their beauty in others homes, but I'd much rather have just the spot for a chair under a window with perfect light to watch birds nearby, while I read a good book. I started a little tradition back in 1993. When I am in need of a new home, I go to God in prayer AFTER I take the time to write down EVERYTHING I would like in my new home and why. It has been amazing to see how He has provided my very hearts desire. Now, don't misunderstand me. I am not talking about the gospel of prosperity. I do not see my Father as a big Santa Claus. But He is my Father, and He loves me. He likes to please me, just like I love to please my children.Do I give my children everything they ask for? Of course not. I often can see what they can't. About two months ago when we first made our decision to move to Alabama, I wrote my list on a small board and put it on the side of my refrigerator. The side no one else usually sees. Well, last week we made a trip to Montgomery, and we looked at four homes. And we bought one. A home in our budget. A place we can call home. A place where my grandchildren can catch lightening bugs and play out in the playhouse. A place where my sons can play soccer (we've had two broken fence pickets and two broken windows since spring:). Every single "request" was there. God even threw in a few sunflowers out by the garden. Did I mention the garden I did not plant, toil over--but now get to gather the harvest? I am humbled and grateful. I am content, and most of all I am eager to share this place with those who need a home, even if it's just for an afternoon. He said "No" to the overseas program in Italy this year, and He said" Later" to the trip to Israel. But He said" Yes, a resounding Yes!" to our new home in Alabama.And we are so grateful.

The Fourth of July

For those of you who have spent the Fourth of July in a country outside of America, you know that the holiday takes on an entirely different appreciation. I will never forget the first one we celebrated while living in Porto Rafti, Greece. A friend from back home in Arkansas sent us a care package like no other! There were red and blue tortilla chips, confetti, small flags, a Patriotic CD, blue plastic glasses with stars, a red plastic pitcher, flag napkins- even red, white, and blue candles! We made the traditional flag cake with strawberries and blueberries, the layered jello salad, and pulled out the sparklers. And we thanked God for the amazing country of our birth. The attack on the Twin Towers had happenned since we left America, and we felt so far from home. We were meeting with the American Consulate, and having to receive updates on a daily basis as to whether it was safe to travel. Tensions ran high. The flag was not to be flown, we were to keep a low profile. We watched Bush be burned in effigy in the streets of London. There were anti-America protests in Rome. Bush was once again set afire on the streets of downtown Athens in front of the Embassy. And still to this day, I have such a feeling of pride when I see our flag flying. I remember those who have died for our freedoms, I remember those who continue to keep God in the forefront as new laws are passed, and I remember to vote so that our country will have the leaders who will look to God for wisdom. I love America, the home of the free and the brave. May God continue to bless us.

Easy Wholegrain Flatbread

The book "Food Matters- A Guide to Conscious Eating" by Mark Bittman is one of the best "cooking" reads I've come across in a long time. He has a more practical approach to eating more wisely for the good of our families, and for the good of the world. I loved the ease of this flatbread. This bread is ready in about 45 minutes, about the time needed to get dinner on the table. The resting time of the batter is optional, but it gives it a creamier texture. If you're in a hurry just let the batter sit while the oven heats. A round pizza pan is ideal (I used my stone), a 10-12 inch skillet would also work. This is easy for those who eat gluten-free and you can experiment around with the various flours to see which you prefer.

1 cup whole wheat flour, cornmeal, or chickpea flour (also called besan)
1 tsp salt
4 Tbl. olive oil
1/2 large onion, thinly sliced (optional)
1 Tbl fresh rosemary (optional, but the best:)

Put the flour into a bowl; add salt; then slowly add 1 1/2c. of water, whisking to eliminate lumps. Cover with a towel, and let sit while oven heats, or as long as 12 hours. The batter should be like thin pancake batter.
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 450 degrees. Put the oil in a 12" rimmed pizza pan, along with the onion and rosemary) and put in the heated oven. Wait a couple of minutes for the oil to get hot. The oil is ready when you just start to smell it. Carefully remove from the oven and give the onions a stir, then pour in the batter and return the skillet to the oven. Bake 30-40 minutes or until the flatbread is well browned, firm and crisp around the edges. Let it rest a few minutes before cutting into wedges.
You could play around with this once you've done this a time or two by adding tomato sauce and a bit of cheese, or grilled veggies on top. This is good cut in wedges and served with hummus.

In my attempt to feed my family nutritionally and on a budget I have also been enjoying the "Food Nanny" on the BYU channel. Though not sharing the beliefs of the Mormon church, I have admiration for the emphasis they put on the role of the mother in the home. I also enjoy the series "Wind at My Back" and their various lectures on the family. Last night I learned something new. Don't you just love that? It was the idea that our dependence on fast food is not only harmful to us nutritionally, but that it is harmful to the family. It promotes the idea of the individual's choices over the family unit's. The speaker (from University of Minnesota) stated that no one goes in to McDonald's and says "Tonight we will have Big Mac's, small fries and Sprite." We each order what we want. And thanks to microwaves we do the same thing  in the home. Each can eat what they want and have it ready in 5 minutes. Instead, when we all share a meal around the table we are forced to not only socialize, but we learn to try new foods, and understand that if it's not your preference tonight, tomorrow night might be different:) I have seen this attitude in my younger son recently and realize that this is coming from our "meals on the run" during this moving transition. Let's all make the changes we need to to feed our families with the best foods. When we feel good we are able to accomplish so much more!

Fresh New Beginnings

We have been blessed with wonderful friends, dear family, and beautiful homes to share with others through the thirty two years of our marriage. We have made homes in Indiana, Arkansas, Florida,Tennessee, Italy, and Greece. Now a new home awaits us in Alabama. I feel so hopeful. Each new town has new faces, new stores, a new church family, and new roads to travel. I am excited to find what the Lord has in store for us. I know that He delights in giving us the desires of our hearts when we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). We are going to Alabama next week to look at a property we have found. It looks like a place I could make into a home. I am ready to begin again, while thanking God for the beautiful life He blessed us with these past seven years in Tennessee. I have grown close to friends here. They have been through weddings, strokes, grandbabies and heart surgeries. They have cried with me and laughed with me. I'm almost afraid to put it into words, but I am ready to do more. I want the Lord to use me in Montgomery. I want to be His hands and His feet. He knows my inadequacies, but uses me anyway. I know He has great plans for Terry at Faulkner. He has great plans for my boys. And He has great plans for me. Because I am His child, and I've always felt I was kind of one of His favorites:) Why else would I have been so blessed?

Changes

I had such good intentions when I decided to begin blogging again. But I have learned something about my self during the process. I am unable to do all I desire to do in a 24 hour day. I guess I just have too many interests:) I am NEVER bored. I accepted a long time ago that I will not live long enough on this earth to go all the places I want to go, have the depth of relationships I long for, read all the books I want to read, finish all the sewing projects I have begun in my mind, be there for all the special moments with my children and grandchildren, teach my Bible classes with the enthusiasm that God's Word deserves, exercise as long as I need to, prepare nutritious meals for my family and friends, AND share my comings and goings with my blogging friends. So I have reached a compromise with myself. Each day I will do what is most important on that day. Sounds simple doesn't it? What that has meant since my last post is the following:
1. In order to serve my husband and family I need to be in the best health I can be. In order to do that I commited to 45 minutes a day, 6 days of week of hillclimbing on my treadmill. I have been doing this for four and a half months now. I joined Weight Watchers at the end of September and have lost 35 pounds so far. I feel so much better. I am going to continue on this journey for at least the remainder of this year.
2. I spend time each day in prayer for my children and grandchildren, and in God's Word. This is the glue that holds us all together.
3. Three hours a day I spend teaching my sons what I believe are the most important things they need to know in order to become Christian husbands and fathers, who can support their families physically and lead them spiritually.
4. I am committed to teaching my Bible class. I found a wonderful curriculum, a great co-teacher (Miss Jolene), and have been blessed with a great group of students (including my own sweet, Christian.
5. Family matters. When one of my children calls during the day to share their joys, and occasional disappointments, I take that call. They are important. When Terry arrives home from work I want for him to find a peaceful environment, and a good dinner planned ( though offers to pick up Chinese are always appreciated:)
6. When an opportunity arises to use my home for a bed or meals I want my guests to know how honored I am to have them and want to provide for them a welcoming second home, and last of all
7. I sew. I sew whimsy balls, little dresses, rompers, bubble suits, and tutus. For my adorable, sweet grandchildren.

So do you see what my problem is? Too many blessings and maybe an occasional "life is too good to get off of this couch, sitting with my husband watching Fox News and drinking our sweet tea" to blog what to most folks would appear to be pretty mundane thoughts. I appreciate those who have told me they missed it. That made me feel good. I do enjoy looking over past posts and reading about days past that I honestly had already forgotten about. Here's to re-prioritizing, an effort to remember these good days and the blessings of days to come. Have a good night everyone!

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.