A Very Brady Kind of House with Flower Power

We have several unique features to our house, which was built in 1970. One of them is our "coke bottle" glass surrounding the front door. Oh, boy, was that gonna be the first thing I fixed! Nearly 13 years later, it still proudly guards sentry at the front. We have a cool wet bar with avocado green countertops, which I hear are back. The wet bar also boasts a lotus type light fixture. Groovy!

I have gotten rid of the swag lamps that once hung so gracefully from my bathroom ceiling. We have floored over the previous kitchen linoleum and tiled over "genuine Mexican vinyl" in the laundry room (wish I had a picture of that!). But our entry floor still looks like . . . avocado with potato chips in it. The avocado part is my description, but a visiting kid once said, "Hey! That looks like potato chips in your floor! Is it?"

An area rug kinda covered it, but I found another recently that I LOVE and it covers a little more. I don't feel the need to be rid of the floor anymore, especially when I think of walking on potato chips.

Do you like my new rug, too?

"Hello, Poison Control?"

"Yes, it's me. I know that the last time we spoke was when my husband accidentally mistook the anti-fungal bottle for the ear drop bottle and put anti-fungal medicine in my son's ears. But this time I am calling because my son did not understand my directions for the 2+ ounces of Listerine mouthwash I put on his bathroom counter. He sorta forgot that he has gargled before, and he drank the Listerine for his sore throat. . . . . Active ingredients? Um, let's see . . . Methyl salicylate, eucalyptus, etc. What about alcohol? It has plenty of that . . . Ok, don't make him throw up, but keep him up another hour because that salicylate word is a derivative for aspirin that can upset his stomach? Right, no, we don't want him to throw up and aspirate in his sleep. Thank you. OK, you'll check on him in an hour. Thanks again."

Heart pounding wildly, I made this call last night. I could barely concentrate I was so worried. But today, he is perfectly fine. I forget to observe things and follow through on stuff that he is new to or hasn't done in awhile. I can't believe this happened, but it is a good reminder to be more diligent with my follow through. I take a lot for granted. Especially the following of directions.

Last night there were no laughs, but now I am able to chuckle a little and remember a friend from high school who did this intentionally. We were with the Spanish Club in Mexico City. We had been warned repeatedly not to eat food from street vendors. My hungry friend could not resist one day and was admonished by the rest of us all the way back to the hotel. Later, he reported he drank part of a bottle of mouthwash as a precaution. Why? "It says it kills germs."

Hopefully, all the cooties are out of his stomach forever and my son's as well. Whew!!

Choose To Be

I need to tell you about a unique opportunity in which you can participate in a study of Proverbs that is held by telephone. My sister-in-law, Pat, is part of a team who helps women in a variety of ways. Their website is called Choosetobe.com, and you can check it out. Their great idea is to allow women to participate via conference call! You don’t have to say a thing; you can listen and glean all kinds of practical wisdom from Proverbs. (You can get the book if you want at Amazon.) Then, when that study is over, they will be doing several “issue” talks, pertaining to parenting, marriage, etc.

I think this is perfect for today’s busy woman who wants to grow in her spiritual life, but does not want to or cannot leave her house. Below are the details. I am thinking I will have to check this out myself! You can listen live or find the call-in number on the website for the recording of the study and listen at a different time.

Believe me, if my sister-in-law is part of it, you will want to be involved, too. She has a ton of energy and will bless you if you are only around her for 5 minutes. When I married into this family, I did not know what a bonus I was getting when I got her! She is a really gifted counselor and a good friend to me.

Below is what she sent me. What a great way to help women right where they are – literally! Starts THIS Tuesday.

An Invitation for You

In 2012 what will you look back and say were the best choices you made in 2011? How important is it to find encouragement and direction for life… as it’s happening? What can you count on day after day no matter what life challenges you may face?

With great excitement, beginning February 11, 2011, each Tuesday night we invite you to join our “Choose to Be” team as we begin an ongoing adventure together learning how to know God in our daily lives and apply God’s Truth in a practical, personal way. We will bring tips for daily living and ways to “enjoy the process” as we go.

God’s intention is not for us to live our life confused, overwhelmed, fearful or without hope. His Truth promises to direct us one step at a time.

WHAT: Weekly Conference Calls

WHEN: Every Tuesday night, beginning, 1-11-11

TIMES: 6-7 pm Pacific time

8-9 pm Central time

9-10 pm Eastern time

STUDY: The Book of Proverbs

STUDY BOOKS: The Bible and “BE SKILLFUL” by Warren W. Wiersbe

The author, Warren Wiersbe, says “The Book of Proverbs is about Godly wisdom, how to get it and how to use it. It tells you how to be skillful in the lost art of making a life.”

CALL-IN # (712) 432-0075 access code: 935742

www.choosetobe.com

Don't Hang Up!

Because I have told you of my love for books and what my favorites were last year, I must tell you about this great book I am reading daily this year. Thanks to my good friend, Miss V, a pretty new leather book has made its way to my bedside table. I have found it to be honest, thought provoking, and challenging. Its daily entries are brief, and they direct my thoughts toward God. It is entitled Jesus Calling. (When I see the title, I immediately want to say, “Hello!! I am here! Don’t hang up!”)

I can see already that its themes are “trust” and “peace”. It is so beautiful. I would say this is one not to pass up for 2011. You can find it here at Amazon.com.

P.S. Husband got the app for his iPhone and loves it. I personally prefer a hard copy.

An Ode to My Man

You don’t have to be around me long to know that I am shameless about my affection for my husband. Since today is his birthday, I might have to get a little mushy about him! We celebrate twice in August for birthdays (mine and N’s), then we roll right on after Christmas, New Year’s, Ted’s birthday, then six days later is A’s. Whew! Sometimes I would buy double at Christmas to avoid shopping twice for them.

But back to the birthday today—it often seems excessive to celebrate right after so much holiday has just happened, but his birthday is most important and he is so easy to please. Besides, everybody needs his own day, no matter when it falls!! On his first birthday after we were married, I was challenged by the fact that we were traveling (to another wedding) and he needed a birthday cake. I finally came up with a cookie cake, which I slipped under my seat of the car. I got to surprise him with that at a hotel in Shreveport, Louisiana. He has wanted a cookie cake ever since, so a tradition began on that road trip. (Today’s cookie is homemade and decorated a little crookedly.)

The ode: My man is a good man. He so often gives me far more grace than I deserve. He is sweeter than I can describe and loves us all unconditionally. I want to be like him when I grow up! So thankful he has been in my life for a long time. Happy Birthday to one great guy!

Cooking up some minestrone

What’s in my Crockpot today:

Minestrone Soup!

I am searching for the perfect minestrone but cannot find it. As this one cooks, I am somewhat satisfied, but am still scouting for the elusive, ultra tomato-y recipe. If you have a good minestrone recipe, please do share. I cannot remember where I had what I have in mind because it has been so long and I have tried oodles since. (At least that is my story; it is not that I am o-l-d.)

For this recipe, I backed off of the thyme and sage a little, added another can of broth and some spaghetti sauce. I know, probably not what the originator had in mind! Here’s today’s version (plus what I added):

Ingredients

• 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini or navy) beans, drained
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked ditalini pasta
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen spinach, defrosted
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• Basil sprigs, garnish, optional

Directions

In a slow cooker, combine broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Thirty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add ditalini, zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaves and season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. Garnish with basil, if desired.

It's Beginning to Look (Less?) Like Christmas

I have decided that I have changed with regard to my Christmas decorating approach. We have accumulated a lot of decorations over the years, and not all of it do I love anymore. Some of it gets drug out and put up out of nostalgia. Not this year. I actually took a peek in a box that Ted brought down from the attic and removed ONE thing out of it. When I told him I was through, he said, “That’s ALL?”. If I don’t love it, I am not putting it up out of obligation. What will I ultimately do with all the tired decorations? I don’t know. I’m not committing. One year I labeled a box “Ugly Christmas Stuff I don’t use anymore.” Seems that box is going to have company.

It is liberating to scale back. And not nearly as much work! I am focusing on the small things. Literally. Like red hots. I went to a few places to find the small candies for some candle holders. I thought the color would show up nicely. I wound up in Wal-Mart today and found some “Red Gems” for $3. I have been obsessing about this and now I am pleased with the results.

I also have some ornaments that were my grandmother’s and they are special to me. I usually put them in a bowl, but this year they make up a centerpiece that really makes me happy. Yes, less is more, I do believe.

Can you see the "Red Gems"in the globes?

Ornaments that belonged to Grandmother

Got hat?

(Bangs like hers.)


I’ll start off with a little joke to make myself feel better. What’s the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut? Answer: About two weeks. If that is the case, then I have a little more than a week to go. Who knew that my last-minute decision to switch from the side swept bang to fringe bangs would end up looking like a kindergartener did the job out on the back playground when no one was looking? Yikes! I must admit, I am the one to blame, though, for not clarifying length. I'll show you a picture. In about 3 months.

It is nice to have a friend who cares about one’s feelings about one’s hair. Neighbor Friend knew about this and sent a quick email, “Is the hair any better?” “No. I still look like I’m in third grade.” (At least that was about 3 grades worth of improvement.) The hair really does need to grow. Now.

N just grinned a very bemused grin at me and said, “Mom! You look a lot . . . . younger?” Yah--as in elementary school.

Confessions of a Bling-aholic

I started out with good intentions. At least I think I did. I mean, I have been to this same shopping event for multiple years in a row with the same friend and some years I buy nothing. This thing is more than a bazaar, it is . . . a colossal extravaganza that is not for those with poor stamina nor for the easily distracted. (If you have seen the T-shirt, “I started out to conquer the world, but I was distracted by something sparkly”, you know what I mean and you can relate to me.) You have to have a plan, have your list and your concentration on. This event was formerly held in an arena and now it is in a convention center. My good friend and I look forward to going to this annually, and as soon as we drag our tired bodies out of it, we begin the anticipation for the next one.

But back to my good intentions. The purpose was to shop for Christmas gifts. For OTHER PEOPLE. Yes, I bought Christmas gifts. But for myself. Is that even legal? I don’t know, but the worst part is that some of it was going to be for Baby Sister. We have similar taste, so her stuff sorta . . . grew on me. I am still waffling about whether to keep or give some of it, hence this confession. I mean, I could replace it with other stuff. . . . Some of it is really good bling, though.

My shopping companion did not help matters. Can I just blame it all on her?? When I was considering a long necklace for myself, I was debating between the gold one and the silver one. Did she encourage self restraint? No. How about this—“It’s such a good deal, why not get both?” said she. See? That’s why I did it. But it’s not too late. I could just wear these “gifts” for a month or so and then give them up, right? Oh, what a slippery slope. I did start out with good intentions . . .

Have you ever kept a gift that you intended for someone else?