Craizin cookies
Topic: Other
I made these cookies today! They are scrumptious. Make them with orange flavored Craisins.

You will thank me!

Wordless Wednesday: Gingerbread
Topic: Photo entries



The girls always have a great time decorating gingerbread men and gingerbread houses!

**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

ETA: Be sure to read all the comments. People are picking their favorite gingerbread men! lol NO stealing legs though! Look only! The comments are only 10 per page, so you have to hit 'next page' at the bottom.

Maggie has that look on her face because she wasn't supposed to be eating the frosting. It's the heavy, hard drying kind for houses that has raw eggs in it. It's an 'ut oh, got caught and they will have pictures to prove it' look. lol

Thanksmas
Topic: Holidays/Vacations
How's the Christmas shopping going? *errrg* That is not a good question to ask me this time of year. It's not that I have many gifts to buy, but it reminds me of all the things I need to do in the next 5 weeks. (5 weeks!!!) I do like doing said 'things'.....it's just that the pressure of having a list of things to DO intimidates me greatly! *whimper*

See, I told you that as the holidays wind up into gear I'd probably blog more in order to avoid the DO's.

So I'm thinking today as I sat in the park with my sister and our kids, "Gee, I need to think about Christmas stuff.....er, no, I have to think about Thanksgiving! But Christmas DO's need to get rolling! However, first we need to make it through the Thanksgiving cooking and shopping." mmmmmhmmm If someone wants to know my opinion, I think we need to space these 2 very meaningful holidays further apart....at least by 2 months. That way we could enjoy each one for it's own meaning and busyness.

Thanksgiving could be such a wonderful celebration if it were not for the after Thanksgiving sales the next morning ....or football for that matter! It just so happens however, that this is exactly what I think about when I think of Thanksgiving. Here is why:

For many years of our 22 year marriage, my husband and I had a Thanksgiving ritual. We would go to Oklahoma every year for Thanksgiving, quite a drive. But I would have my Christmas lists in hand, because I would go through the stack of 'the day after Thanksgiving sale' fliers Thanksgiving night. We stayed at Charles' parents' home, so with them to watch the girls, we would sneak off at 4:00am and go by ourselves to stand in line for very, very reduced prices on gifts for the girls.

We would pick the store that had the most list items and attack, Charles going to the toys or sporting goods department while I went to the music or clothing departments. We would meet at the front, waving like crazy at each other over the pressing masses of people and come together all happy and slightly giddy from the good buys we had found. Then more stores and more good buys. Finally, we would go out to breakfast, and back to his parents house to wrap the loot before the kids could see it!

We would get all of our Christmas shopping done, plus buy gifts from his parents to our kids for them, so that they didn't have to get out in the Christmas crowds.

And yes, doing this year after year did get tiring. I would try to wimp out of doing it each year, but Charles would talk me into it again. He really enjoyed it way more than me..... that was annoying! Our kids are older now and we don't do that tradition anymore. It just isn't necessary and Charles does most of our Christmas gift buying online. Now the day after Thanksgiving sales have gone the way of memories for us.....or the dinosaurs....left to future generations to follow in our steps.

It was quite an adventure, very very COLD, but a memory we'll always giggle at.....how silly we are to enjoy such madness!!

We're not having a huge crowd this year for Thanksgiving and my sister is helping me a lot with the cooking......so I think there may even be time in the day for a little reflecting.....some actual giving thanks for making it through this stress-filled year.

Happy Thanksmas....er, Christgiving....ummm, we really do need to do a petition or something to get more time in there and seperate these 2 great holidays....

Release
Topic: People/Family stories
My doctor officially 'released' me from her post surgerical care this morning. Whoopie, now I can lift and jump up and down and do housework....and...ummm, hey wait a minute!

I think I need a second opinion!

Chicken and dumplings are stewing on the stove. It was chilly enough to wear a light sweater most of the day today. And I may even bake some cookies tonight. =)

It's finally Fall in Phoenix! *I think*

Whatcha been doin?
Topic: People/Family stories
Things I've been doing lately instead of blogging:

*Watching 21 episodes of the first season of Smallville. I am ashamed and embarrassed to have to tell you that I am all done! My only justification in the whole thing is that I am still in my last week of recovery from my surgery. Yes, that is why I have to glue my rear to the couch each day to watch hours of Smallville....see? It keeps me from 'overdoing it'.

***At which point I break into my own thought to add: Although this first season of Smallville IS enjoyable, I have to say that after watching the current episode last night on television, I can't recommend the later seasons. There was a warning from a friend in my previous post about the shows becoming more and more racy as the seasons progressed and I have to agree. *bleh!* Ruin my fun Hollywood....you dorks! Anyway, I've heard the first 2 seasons are good, so I'll await the 2nd one and let you know. I feel it is my duty now. ;') It was quirky and made me bust out laughing at the weirdness of the plots. I'm also a fan of Northern Exposure and Gilmore Girls...quirky! Funny and rediculous! I love it!***

*Getting back into normal routines of cooking again and cleaning my house, which has been cathartic and rewarding. lol Of course I intersperse this hard work with episodes of Smallville so that I don't 'overdo it'.

*Female bonding times: I've had a sweet run of lunches with friends. This is one of the highlights of being a woman, I think. "Let's do lunch!" "Ooooo, okay, have you tried the new cute little tea room?" It's not just lunch people, it's atmosphere and bonding for us girls. One was a friend from church, who is going through the sandwich generation thing....hard time of life. One you need your girlfriends for! The next lunch was with my friend who moved next door to me when we were 4 years old and we have tried to keep in touch ever since. We will need way more than one lunch to appropriately catch up on things! Today my sister from across town came for lunch. (When I say 'across town' in Phoenix, we're talking it takes 45 minutes when there is no traffic, and that is on the freeway the whole way! Needless to say, we don't see very much of her.) She took my mom, me and 2 of my teen daughters to Mimi's....a girlie restaurant if ever there was one. Then we came back to my house, where my other sister, our 9 year olds and her baby came to visit with us.

*Snuggling the sweetest head that is currently on earth....my little 9 month old nephew. Making him laugh or 'talk' to me is the highlight of my day!

*Going to more activities at church. We're currently doing a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Daniel that I can't even tell you about now....it's going to take several posts. It's all that!

*Trying to get some window treatments for the bedroom, decide on paint colors for the bedroom, family room and exterior. I hate making these paint decisions!!!!!

*Going to marching band exhibitions and competitions for my daughter Emma. She's so cute in her uniform!!!

*Homeschool stuff. We went to a ballet last week....where I kind of relived some pleasant memories of being in theater in high school and college.

*Practicing the Christmas musical with the church choir...it's pretty cute!!!

*Trying to write thank you notes to all the people who blessed us so much during my hospital stuff and recovery!


I want to do more writing. Maybe with the holidays aproaching, I'll slack from holiday chores by blogging.....seems the way it goes with me. Slacking in one area leads to inspiration in another....go figure!! lol

Yikes!! Holiday 'stuff' is upon us....brace yourselves!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Perspective
Topic: Photo entries



**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

Offerings
Topic: People/Family stories
God's blessing...... It often comes through His people.

Did I mention that I haven't cooked a meal in a month?

A MONTH!

Yet my family and I have eaten home-cooked meals almost every night. October 3rd I had surgery, coinciding with pastor appreciation month in October. Our church family provided meals four times a week for the entire month! Besides the blessing of meals, we also got to know several people a lot better, making a real connection with them as they entered our home, bringing their offerings.

Oh, they weren't offerings to US....they were offerings to God. They brought Him lasagne, chicken and rice, chicken pot pies, tatter-tot casserole, chicken enchiladas extraordinare, steak, chicken, burgers, pizza, soup, along with all kinds of cakes, pies and desserts. Each of them blessed God with their offering of help and physical sustinence to another believer. A cup of water, so to speak....

Cool, isn't it?

Now go out and present your offerings before Him....

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor
have come up as a memorial offering before God."
Acts 10:4

Somebody saaaaaaaave meeee
Topic: People/Family stories


Smallville.

I never gave it a thought until this past week and a half.

A friend of my 16 yr old mailed us the full first season on dvd to borrow, then send back. Bethany begged us to watch the first episode with her.

That was basically where it all went wrong fast. Now we can't stop watching it. Every time we hear the theme song wailing, "Somebody saaaaaave meeeee," we come like obedient slaves and watch disk after disk of Smallville weirdness. lol It's soooo predictable and has such wacked out characters (people affected by the meteor shower that brought little Clark to Earth) but we love it. My question is, does anyone have season 2????? *Pfft*

Silly, isn't it?

Yes, it is! Somebody saaaaaaaave meeeeee....

Huh?
Topic: Humor/memes
The thing that surprised me most about this news item??

Ebay is a real place??

I got an email this morning that said if I would forward it something good would happen to me at 7:05. I hit delete, now I'm a bit worried. ;')

I'm sorry, now that I'm feeling a lot better, my silliness is kicking in.

Have a nice day....

And just for your snarky side (and I know you have one!):

Rockin the Block
Topic: God things
On overload and overwelmed by all the recent activity at home and church, I took a little unplanned break from blogging. All is well though, no worries.

One of the activities we were all involved in was our annual block party on halloween night at church. A few years ago, the church had a block party that hosted around 400 people. Last year they had 800 people and this year it may have been that many again. (I haven't heard the official count yet) Hats OFF to Ann, our block party coordinator! She does a fabulous job and works on it all year long. She was working this year with major pain (literally) and thankfully, she was training an assistant.....smart lady!

My only job I was able to contribute was to man the popcorn machine for a few hours that morning, making a small dent in the 800+ bags of popcorn needed for the night! As I went to sleep that night, I kept smelling the strong scent of popcorn on my hair. Along with the popcorn, we had people cooking and serving up hot dogs, canned soda, bowls of scooped frozen yogurt (it takes serious arm muscles to scoop frozen yogurt for 800 people!) and brewing up gourmet coffee and hot cocoa. There were also multitudes of cupcakes!! All for free to our block partiers. In the worship center, where the food court was, we had a video of our past year's children and youth events and also of the pastor, children's pastor, and youth pastor all speaking about the church. It was very exciting! People were listening.....their eyes looked hungry for more than hot dogs.

We had regular fun game booths and inflatable jumping games (3 huge ones) and this year they rented a 'rock wall' that you could climb with harnesses and everything! IT was very cool! Very comical was the little 5 year old Spiderman who could not get a good grip and climb the rock wall. The thought of it still makes me giggle! There were all manner of princesses, fairies, and ballerinas found airborn most of the evening in the inflatable bouncing booths. There were superheroes with orange frosting stained cheeks, ladybugs with hot cocoa mustaches, and even a few doggies becostumed for the evening.

Sooooooo many people from all around our neighborhood. They were dressed in all kinds of costumes, including one very scary looking guy in a satan costume, wearing a mask with a long realistic looking tongue hanging down and split at the end. He never took it off either....weird! A pastor friend of mine said Satan often shows up at his church too, but he is usually disguised as a gossipy, bitter woman or controlling committee member, etc. Makes ya think, doesn't it?

We got lots of thanks and people confused as to why we'd put this wonderful event on for free! So it gave us an opportunity to tell them we care about the families in the community and want people to feel welcome at our church. Most of these people likely do not have a church or much faith or hope in life. Our wonderful church members used a holiday that a lot of Christians shun these days (understandably) and used it to bring a neighborhood of searching people to our church to be loved on by our members.....by Jesus.

Pray with me that God will draw these people back to our church for services and children and youth activities, where they can hear more about this Jesus (and this Church), who loves them.

We call the event Rock the Block....and I hope it shook up some things!

Wordless Wednesday: Canyon in March
Topic: Photo entries


My husband and daughter went with friends on a hike into the Grand Canyon in March of 2002. He took a very cool shot of them coming around a switchback. A lot of the trail was snow packed, and in parts icey, so they had to wear clamp-on cleats on their shoes!

**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

Friday's demotivation
Topic: Humor/memes


For more demotivators, go to despair.com.

Wordless Wednesday: hmmmm
Topic: Photo entries



I have no word to describe this small mountain near the Big Lake area in the White Mountains of Arizona. UPDATE: I just figured out what this landscape reminded me of....Teletubbies! It just needs a few rabbits grazing and a sun with a baby's face up in the sky!

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Toffee making
Topic: Crickl's Recipes
I did a bad thing one Christmas. Not thinking it was a bad thing at all when I began, it turned into a holiday obsession that I will never be rid of....

While reading a ladies’ magazine with cute decoration ideas and recipes for the holidays, I came across a recipe for English Toffee. I was newly married and on a strict budget….we were both seminary students and as poor as dirt. As a teen and college student, I had my own tradition of getting a can of Almond Roca for my family for Christmas. The candy is not expensive, but I knew making it from scratch from very simple ingredients would be cheaper, I could make some for each family member and it would be more special.

Little did I know that 22 years later, my family and friends await that toffee every year, like crazed addicts! Some of them even keep the jar or tin I gave it to them in and hand it back to me the following year.

“So you won’t have to buy so many this year WHEN you make the toffee.”
Uh huh…..

So I am going to share the recipe with you, but I will include this warning: you may not ever be able to stop making it once you’ve dabbled in it. So beware!!

I am including all the tips and tricks I have learned from making toffee every Christmas for 22 years. It is not complicated, but trust me, the tips are tried and true! One tip is that you cannot make a decent batch of toffee if you live in a high elevation area! Don’t even try it. When we lived in the mountains of Arizona, I had to make the toffee on trips to Phoenix or when we went to visit my husband’s family in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving. They don’t take elevation as a valid excuse. I must make the toffee.

First is a very detailed explanation of candy making. Please do read it all if you are going to attempt it. It is not hard, but it does need to be done correctly and in a very timely way. At the end are very concise instructions so it’s easier to read them as you are making the candy. I put the basic recipe, including ingredients all in bold in case you want to copy just those into a recipe card.

Enjoy! (but beware!)

Materials needed:
-Heavy bottomed saucepan of medium size
-A wooden spoon or spoon made for cooking candy and stirring constantly at very high heat. The type of spoon that works best is one with a flat end, so you can scrap the bottom of the pan constantly. After several batches of toffee, the wooden one with crack but it still works best.
-A candy thermometer. I brake candy thermometers that are made of glass, so I tend to use my plain old meat thermometer most. It works fine, but make sure you don’t hold it to the bottom of the pan. Try to suspend it in the candy so you get an accurate reading. The trick is holding it there while constantly stirring, so clip it on the side of the pan and kind of tip it so it’s not hitting the bottom of the pan while taking the temperature.
-Metal cookie sheet. Metal cools much more quickly than a stone or glass one. Spray the sheet with cooking spray very lightly. The toffee will not run over the sides of the sheet if it is a regular sized one, so it’s ok to used one without edges.

****Children should not be under foot while making candy. Should it spill or bubble and splatter, it will cause very severe burns!****

English Toffee
Makes 1 pound

1 cup butter (do not use margarine)
1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla (splurge and get the really good kind from Trader Joes)
1 Hershey bar
3/4 cup chopped nuts (if desired) pecans or almonds taste best

To prepare for quick steps when toffee is cooked, have these things ready before cooking ingredients:

-Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray and set it on a dish towel on the counter. (the dish towel protects your counter from being scorched)
-Open the wrapper of the Hershey bar and break each square apart, ready to top your toffee. You can also use ? to a full cup of chocolate chips.
-Prepare your nuts for topping if you use them. Chop finely or bash them to bits in a ziplok bag with a coffee mug or rolling pin…..as finely chopped as you can.

Cooking:

Put butter, sugar and water in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook on medium heat (or just a little higher, but be careful not to used too high of heat or you can scorch it and ruin the batch) until mixture reaches 300?, stirring constantly. (this is where it gets tedious as you stir….it usually takes about half an hour to get it to hard crack stage…300?).

As toffee cooks, it will turn from yellow and bubbly to thick caramel color, which is when you want to put the thermometer in. Move the thermometer periodically to prevent scorching in that spot. Never (EVER) stop stirring….it WILL scorch very easily. Let the answering machine get the phone, let the baby cry, let the dog piddle on the carpet, just don’t let the toffee burn! =)

When it reaches 300?, turn heat off and remove pan from burner, then quickly stir in vanilla. It will splatter a little, so take care. I hold the pan over the sink while adding vanilla.

Pour immediately into sprayed cookie sheet. It will at once begin to harden, so do not try to spread it out. Let it flow where it will.

Putting the hot pan in the sink or back on the stove is all the time it needs to harden enough to begin laying the chocolate squares onto the hot toffee. It will begin to melt immediately, so begin spreading it to cover the top with a spatula.

Lick spatula as to not be wasteful of any chocolate. I may point out here that you should NOT, EVER, under any circumstances (!!!!) lick the spoon you just stirred toffee with. You will not have skin on the roof of your mouth for a week. Please don’t ask me how I know that.

While chocolate is still soft, sprinkle surface with finely bashed nuts and enjoy how pretty it all is! After it cools completely, lift edges of toffee and randomly break it into appropriately sized pieces. Any inappropriate sized pieces may be eaten by the cook at his/her discretion.

Place into air-tight containers which you can decorate if you wish and enjoy a job well done and accolades as plentiful as the sand of the sea!

Okay, now that you have read the way too detailed instructions, here they are in simple form that is easier to read.

Basic instructions (with no snarky details):
Put butter, sugar and water into saucepan on medium heat and stir constantly until mixture reaches 300?.

Turn off heat, stir in vanilla, and pour onto greased cookie sheet.

Lay broken chocolate bar on top, spread as they melt, sprinkle with nuts, cool thoroughly.

Break into pieces and store in air-tight containers.

Makes 1 pound of delicious candy!

Order and Contentment
Topic: God things
There is a new devotional sight called Laced with Grace begun by my friend Iris. She has five very good writers on her crew and they are very relevant as well as well written. Take a look. Today's devotion is written on Contentment.

I am pondering order and contentment this morning. I don't have much self made order in my life. My personality type is not the order loving/needing kind, (it's more like the fly by the seat of my pants while shouting "wheeeeeee!" kind) But, I know it is a good thing, this 'order' and really does make me feel more content when I have it.

It's the living in it that is hard for me.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full.