Choices

I'm going to bring up the kitchen again. I'm very tired of talking about it, but it is still a work in progress. I have had to make so many choices that my brain hurts! Lowe's is coming Jan. 6 to rip out Diamond-damaged cabinets and install replacements, and to finish all the little details that were left undone. This is supposed to be the last time. After this, it's all on Conrad. We still have to choose flooring (we've moved on from lovely cork to durable tile), backsplash (I am seriously leaning toward white subway tile--simple) and we need some sort of light for over the kitchen island. Also, when we planned this kitchen, we did not plan for a spot for our trash can! So it is in the way, against my John Boos kitchen work island that I must sell, because it's too big and in the middle of the kitchen. I love it and we constantly use it, so felt very ambivalent about putting it on Craigslist, and was partly relieved when the people that contacted me never showed up (typical Craislist!).

How To Stay Warm In Florida

The day-after-Christmas was a big cleanup day here at home and finding places for brand new gifts. A lot of people take advantage of sales, but that has never interested me since I don't need anything and don't like crowds. The day also became very windy and cold. My husband is always hot and I'm always cold, so we play a sort of tug o' war with the thermostat. For Christmas he bought me leg warmers and a foot heating pad for the bed. I put flannel sheets on the bed. My bedroom was Christmas Storing, Staging and Wrapping Area, so my happiest accomplishment was clearing off the treadmill. It feels great to get back on it and walk off some Christmas leftovers, and as this cold weather has continued, I've also discovered that when I'm chilly, a walk on the treadmill warms me right up--without touching the thermostat.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Peanut butter and chocolate is a scary-delicious combination. I rarely combine them because I don't want to test my willpower. Christmas was an exception. I mean, if there's ever an occasion for treats you shouldn't eat, Christmas is it! Thankfully, my son made Buckeyes recently and followed the recipe diligently, but they were so soft and gooey that they looked like mini cow pies. They must have tasted terrific though, because they disappeared. I thought the problem must have been our peanut butter, which is natural organic and very runny. I found a Smart Balance chunky peanut butter and decided to see how that worked. I couldn't find a recipe I was totally happy with--other recipes ask for a lot of powdered sugar and butter and omit the graham cracker, but I prefer the texture with it. So I used 2 cups peanut butter, 1 cup graham cracker crumbs and 2 cups powdered sugar. I had to mix it in my food processor because it got very stiff. Then I made small balls and put them in a wax paper-lined container and refrigerated them for an hour, then I dipped them in melted chocolate chips and put them back in the refrigerator. WOW! I highly recommend these! And if you're afraid of eating too many, this recipe can be cut in half:)

Go Truffles!

A few people think vegetarians are weird and bizarre hippies, but I was just raised that way. The thought of eating a dead animal turns my stomach, so I don't. I like to eat organic and am usually vegan, but I try not to stress about food. I've seen a lot of people become fanatical about food, and I refuse to do that. Just trying to keep it in perspective. Life is for living.

My wonderful husband (who is an omnivore like a bear) gave me truffle oil for Christmas. Tonight I made eggplant parmesan and had my first truffle taste. It smelled rather different and strong, almost musky or smokey, so I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. My 12 year old son had never been brave enough to try eggplant, but his truffle curiosity made him throw caution to the wind. We all agree. The verdict is: divine!

I'm Dreaming of a Warm Christmas

Christmas morning, it was still dark, but I woke up and flew out of bed almost at the same moment so I could get fill up the eight stockings before Jake got up. He came out about half an hour later, and we all opened our stockings (including the dog). We packed up the other four boys' stockings to take to them. We opened our gifts under the tree, and finally got ready for church.

Church was such a blessing! Everyone was dressed beautifully and was so friendly and loving. A couple of friends gave me gifts! There was a lot of beautiful music, and I was in the audience and able to just sit with the family, relax, and enjoy. I usually like to saunter out of church, talking and hugging friends as I slowly wind my way through the crowd; but Conrad rushed and nagged me until I finally got into the car. Then we rushed home and scrambled to get all the presents and food packed.

We all converged on my parents for Christmas lunch. My family is vegetarian, so I spent Christmas Eve happily puttering about the kitchen, and we contributed green bean casserole (reheated so the fried onions would get nice and crunchy), yellow squash casserole (Conrad suddenly loves squash), pumpkin cranberry bread, dill bread, sugar cookies, buckeyes and supplies for our family's favorite hot spicy fruit drink, wassail. My mom bought a vegetarian roast and made mashed potatoes and gravy, toasted french bread, a corn dish, and lots of pies! Wow, we were all stuffed. Our boys were going on to another meal--Brandon and Brent were going to their dad's for supper and Juddy and Josh were going home for supper (made by Juddy's girlfriend Annie) with Annie's mom and aunt.

Today---the day-after Christmas---we did a ton of laundry and I cleaned up. We are enjoying our Christmas gifts. I have to send one back. For the first time ever, Jacob and I made homemade pretzels. They were a lot of fun and delicious!

Christmas Anticipation!

This past week was the beginning of the end of 2010...last homeschool co-op for the year (fun Christmas party, by the way!), last homeschool park day (perfect sunshiny warm weather for our annual gingerbread house decorating!), last piano lesson with a student whom I've had for six years (sniff, sniff!), and last rehearsal before our church choir's Christmas cantata, which was performed at Titusville and Cocoa churches. They did an awesome job for a little choir! God was with us. We are participating in a friend's Christmas program for Parrish Hospital on Monday, and Conrad and Jacob have band rehearsal in the afternoon and performance that night. I'm so excited! Conrad's first performance since he took up trombone in August! Jacob will be first trumpet. His trumpet teacher has brought him a long ways!

For my family, Christmas is not about the gifts...although we do like to give and to receive...I just love being together with my wonderful family, whatever the excuse.

Winter in Florida

I can't believe 2010 is almost over. This year just flew by. There is snow up north and frost here in Florida. Our heat hasn't stopped all morning.

Today I am officially middle aged. I don't feel different, but I am glad I don't have to look at myself. Aside from the getting older part, I feel so loved on my birthday. We had a party with my parents and the boys Sunday night. My mom made one of my favorites, taco salad, and my parents gave me a sweet card and gifts. Josh's card was so touching. Brandon and Brent gave me candles that smell so good I want to eat them. I also got a 2011 calendar, which I needed. I've already scribbled all over it.

Conrad saved his gift to me for my actual birthday, and I couldn't wait to open it. He gave me a laptop! I'm getting used to it. I'll appreciate not having to wait for someone to get off the computer! The hard part has been trying to figure out my passwords (uh oh!).

Jacob doesn't feel well today; surprisingly, it's not allergies. I think he has the stomach flu, poor thing, so no school today.

The month of November was hectic and rewarding. I had a piano recital, and although nine people could not attend, it was a lot of fun and I'm glad we did it, even if we were a small group. The kids were awesome! The following weekend my son's violin teacher had a recital. I was accompanying a student, so I was nervous, but it turned out to be enjoyable. One of Jacob's friends, also my piano student, was in the recital. He surprised and impressed me by playing his cello so well! Afterward, we went to eat with them and played at the park until dark. Brandon and Brent's dad showed up with his family and they went to Olive Garden together. Brent's performance was AMAZING! He chose a tough piece and blew me---all of us---away! Wow! My wonderful parents came to both my recital and Brent's. They are so supportive and I really appreciate them.

Brandon and Brent are taking final exams this week, so I'm praying continually for them. They just rented an apartment across from their college so they won't have that long drive every day. They lived with my parents this semester. It was nice knowing my parents could ask the boys for help if they needed it. Brent quit violin lessons, which is so sad. I guess he's been taking lessons for about 9 years now and wants to focus on college. When I quit piano lessons, I stayed motivated and challenged by playing for church and the choir, and I hope Brent finds something that motivates him and keeps him playing.

I need to get ready for Christmas! I hope to get the tree up today. We have a few performances this month through our church, band, a friend's program for a local hospital, and our homeschool group.

We went to Cracker Christmas. I enjoy walking around outside under the huge moss laden oak trees in the beautiful brisk, sunshiny weather. I love to browse the homemade crafts and eat fresh hot salty-sweet kettle corn. We wandered around the pioneer area where blacksmiths were heating iron until it was red hot, and hammering it into shapes, like tools and potracks. People dressed like pioneers from 1800's were making soap and rope. Jacob chewed sugar cane while we watched them make cane syrup.

Our church had a Christmas party. The food was delicious, and the brilliant planner had a huge slide outside for the kids so the adults could stay inside and talk where it was quiet and warm. There were so many friends I wanted to talk to that I ran out of time.