FOOD FOR THOUGHT - A DEVOTIONAL
The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children after them.
~~ Proverbs 20:7 NLT ~~
Wise women understand that integrity is a crucial building block in the foundation of a well-lived life. Integrity is built slowly over a lifetime. It is the sum of every right decision, every honest word, every noble thought, and every heartfelt prayer. It is forged on the anvil of honorable work and polished by the twin virtues of generosity and humility. Integrity is a precious thing - difficult to build, but easy to tear down; godly women value it and protect it at all costs.
As believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with discipline, honesty, and faith. When we do, at least two things happen: integrity becomes a habit, and God blesses us because of our obedience to Him.
Living a life of integrity isn't always the easiest way, but it is always the right way. And God clearly intends that it should be our way, too.
He called us to integrity...
The biblical concept of integrity
emphasizes mature innocence not childlike ignorance."
~~ Beth Moore ~~
A Woman of Prayer - 365 Daily Devotions (Freeman-Smith LLC)
THE HOLIDAYS IN REVIEW
So here's what I plan to differently next year. LOL
My goodness, I never thought I'd be away for almost a week. Did you feel as if your week got a little out of sync because Christmas fell on a Tuesday? I did. It seems to me Christmas should be on a Sunday.
By the way, I should mention, before I go any further, I'm sitting here enjoying a wonderful cup of pure Kona coffee, courtesy of Dawn and her recent anniversary trip to Hawaii. I'm in trouble...this is the best cup of coffee I've tasted in years and guess what? It's manufactured in Honaunau, Hawaii. Think I can find a local gourmet coffee shop that carries it?
Our Christmas (Eve) was wonderful. Our family gets together here on Christmas Eve so that my daughters can spend Christmas Day with their husbands' families. So we celebrated on Monday.
Just about everyone who has resurfaced this week to do a post has posted Christmas photos. Oddly enough, I realize now I didn't really take a lot of photos this year. I guess I was too involved in playing my new electronic Monopoly game with my kids. :-) But here are a few I'll share with you.
Snow is rare in Grand Junction,
so for this to happen on Christmas Eve
is pretty special.
to leave the world's largest monkey under our tree.
He obviously knows Cameron has a "thing" about monkeys!
his Aunt Mandy and Uncle Aaron gave him.
Somehow this photo reminds me of Clark Griswold
as he's emerging from his garage to trim his Christmas tree. LOL
Ahem. Excuse me. I get a little excited when I realize
I NOW OWN AN OXO SALAD SPINNER!
He was too tired to even let me remove his Spiderman slippers.
This was Wednesday. He took a four hour nap.
Look how big he's getting.
He's beginning to look like the big brother
he's going to become on March 3rd.
March 3rd at 7:30 a.m., to be exact.
We had a wonderful Christmas, one of the most relaxed we've had in years, because this year I decided not to spend the day in the kitchen. Instead of a big, formal sit-down Christmas dinner, I did a cold buffet.
It was seriously a big hit with my family.
My original plan was to buy a Hormel Cure 81 ham, bake it and go from there. I wised up when I realized that for $20 less than that ham would cost, I could go right to the deli and get two pounds of black forest ham, two pounds of honey roasted turkey breast and two pounds each of baby Swiss and American cheese AND four different types of sandwich rolls. Add my own potato salad and my mil's fruit salad and a ton of shrimp and coctail sauce and all the goodies I spent two weeks making, and our dinner was casual but wonderful.
It's the only way to go, for me.
My whole family seemed to want to simplify things this year, including all the gift-giving, and you know, it was one of the best Christmases we've had in years.
Did I mention Mandy and Aaron gave me the new electronic Monopoly game? I won! For the first time ever, I won a game of Monopoly. I was so excited, Aaron recorded all the details on the inside cover of the box. LOL
And did I mention Krissy and Andy gave me an OXO SALAD SPINNER? !!!
MOVING TOWARD A NEW YEAR
And thankfully so, I might add. Boy this year had some challenges. It feels good to know we maneuvered our way through job losses and the ensuing financial struggles and Cameron's diagnosis of juvenile diabetes.
So my thoughts move toward the new year and what we have to look forward to. We're all handling the diabetes better now. Rob is firmly settled in a pretty secure job. And we anticipate the birth of our first granddaughter, Avery Lynn, on March 3rd. Krissy is scheduled for the c-section on Monday, March 3rd, at 7:30 in the morning.
A new baby in 2008. Such a blessing.
I received a Michael's gift card for Christmas and after a lot of careful research (LOL), yesterday I bought some things I'll need for my 2008 Christmas projects. Right now, I'm very happily crocheting a baby blanket, but as soon as it's done, I'm moving on to reteaching myself how to knit.
I can assure you I will NOT be making four huge felt and sequin kits next year. No way. Not no way, no how. The tree skirts and advent calendars I made this year about did me in and I am heartily sick of felt kits.
I've chosen several very sweet ornament projects for 2008. I can't wait to start working on them, but first...I bought some pretty cool yarn for my first knitting project.
Only one thing happened this Christmas that really bothered me and I swear, I'm losing sleep over it, which means I must remedy it.
I participated in Kathleen Marie's ornament exchange this year. My exchange partner was Pia at My Life's Journey. She lives in the Philippines. She sent me a beautiful capiz photo frame. Capiz is a shell and the frame is embellished with the outer layers of capiz shells.
I sent Pia six ornaments. I sent her a set of the nativity ornaments I cross stitched this year and two Santa stars. And I bought her the Willow Tree angel of wonder, which is a beautiful angel holding a golden Christmas ball.
I mailed it the second Thursday in December. To the Philippines. And she has still not received it. I'm trying really hard to believe that all the people who work in customs are honest, but she should have received those ornaments by now. It's bothering me so much, I plan to buy another Willow Tree angel and send her the one extra set of nativity ornaments I had left this year and take two Santa stars from my own tree and send her this package again. And this time, I'm going to insure it up to the hilt, even if it DOES take two hours to do the paperwork at the post office like the frazzled lady working behind the counter when I mailed the first package told me.
Pia, I'm so sorry. Truly, I sent you a wonderful package and I hope that they're simply delayed because of the holidays. If, by any chance, someone else got them, I hope they're enjoying them. :-)
SOME LAST THOUGHTS
Thank you to all of you who left me your helpful hints for puffing up my pathetically flat chocolate chip cookies. The general concensus seems to be I need to use shortening instead of butter and I need to add a little more flour than the recipe calls for. Today I plan to give that a try. Trust me, if my chocolate chip cookies come out nice and fat, you'll be hearing about it.
Cameron's day care mom took two weeks off for the holidays, so he was here with me all last week and will be again all this coming week. Christmas is completely taken down now and my house is back in order, so he and I are finding things besides the Christmas tree and all my decorations to play with. It's such a joy to have him here every day during this special time of year, but it sure keeps me away from this computer!
I hope you all have a wonderful and smart and safe New Year's Eve. We stay in. We stopped partying on New Year's Eve years ago. I'll be making a big pot of blackeyed peas on New Year's Day. You know. For luck. :-)
Posts
45 comments:
Sounds like a truly wonderful Christmas! let me know how the cookies go..:) We go easy on the food on Chrismas too..I buy BBQ and coleslaw at our favorite place on Christmas eve and we heat the meat in the oven, serving home cooked fries and corn on the cob...yumm! easy and delish..its our holiday tradition nowadays...Don't know what we'll be doing to celebrate NYs but it';; be just me any my hubby this year...it already sounds like fun! Many blessing to you and your family in 08!
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas day! And yes I do think Cameron looks like the infamous Clark Griswold! Glad to hear you were able to simplify things this year. We have been doing that in my family also. It's so easy amidst the flurry of activity to loose the perspective that Christmas is truly about enjoying time with family and celebrating the dear baby born in a lowly stable! A simple birth should lend it's self to a more simple Christmas. Thus the cold buffet sounds perfect!! :)
This is my first time stopping by your blog....I am a teacher and thought I would do some blog hopping over Christmas break!
Enjoyed reading about your Christmas, and loved the pic of the snow!
Happy New Year
~Sandy
Gorgeous snow! I truly do miss snow, especially around Christmas........
I hope you'll post a picture of the baby blanket you're crocheting when you're finished with it. You're the only other person I know of who's actively crocheting these days (besides myself). Everyone seems to be knitting ~ do you think crocheting will enjoy a come-back like knitting has? I hope so ~ I enjoy knitting, but I LOVE crocheting! I think you've made a good decision by swearing off those silly felt kits ~ I got halfway through one and elected to just put it away rather than throw it in the garbage! LOL Can I interest you in cross stitch instead?
Praising God and giving thanks that you had a marvelous holiday with family, and praying that you'll prosper and grow in Him in 2008!
Blessings,
Trish
You had a wonderful Christmas. Time spent with the family, simple foods - makes it so much better that way. I'm SO over big Christmases with boxes and toys strewn all over the place and no one enjoying themselves.
Ashlie will be here for New Year's Eve, but Shelby is going out. I'll try to stay awake until midnight, but can't promise. Then on Tuesday, I'm having pork, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Anyone who doesn't like it can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Hi Barb, I am so glad you enjoyed Christmas with your family, as I did too!!!.Spending time with our kids and grands is the most important thing in life.. My new grandbaby will be born on February 15th by c/s if my daughter holds out that long.Her first child was 3 weeks early and the second one was 5 weeks early...Praying all goes well with your daughter and mine..Hugs...
Hey Barb,
As Paula Deen would say dont forget the hog jowl with those black eyed peas for health even!?
Your Christmas sounded wonderful Barb, I loved reading, I came by several times and was getting worried lol.
I had a Paula deen christmas. I recieved her Christmas recipe cookbook, her newest seasonal cookbook, her yearly journal planner. I was so happy. I love Paula Deen. I think we should go visit her in savannah Barb at her restaurant, wouldnt that be a hoot.
I have also been knitting since recieving the knitting set from Bev awhile back. My friend called me the other day to come have lunch and she gave me a whole garbage bag FULL of beautiful yarn galore. I can already crochet well and now I am knitting. I made 2 people afghans this year for Christmas and I am going to try my hand at making the homemade ornaments this year for all my extended family. Do you still have those patterns posted anywhere Barb? I know you gave them out at one time but it was after my surgery and I was out of it lol?
I was also offered a sewing machine so I may be getting into that as well. You have taught me that I can still do this even if my kids are grown. I love the way you and Bev do things for your children still! You inspire me.
Love Ya
The twins will be born within the next two weeks, most likely. What a year this will be!
I'm sure we can hook you up with some authentic 100% Kona coffee directly from the island! The internet is a wonderful thing.
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, Barb. We had snow here, too, which is always nice for Christmas; except it made it pretty hard for Care Bear to ride her new bike Santa got her.
Here's hoping 2008 will be the best year ever!
I missed your posts! So glad to hear things are going well for you and yours. I think- really - give it a couple more weeks before you send another package... Christmas is CRAZY for the mailing folks and even stuff sent within the US can take a few weeks... Besides, there's not really a rush since she won't be using those darling ornaments until next year anyway... Just my two cents!
Happy New Year to you and your family! I made the cookie recipe off the back of Toll House package and I used butter but I added more flour and my cookies were fat. I think I will try the shortening to see if it makes a difference. It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and I loved seeing snow. We haven't had snow in so long and I wish we could have one good snow this winter. :o) I have so enjoyed reading your blog this year and I look forward to visiting you in 2008.
Love,
Patty
Beautiful post. Sounds like your family had a wonderfully peaceful Christmas. May your new year be the same!
Sounds like a great Christmas, and a wonderful, full New Year coming up!
Barb, I have been mailing Christmas gifts to our missionaries for our church for years -- it should not take hours to do the paperwork at all. (In the past several years of doing this, though some packages have arrived months late, only one has gotten completely lost in the mail -- and that was to Quebec, of all places, our nearest neighbor.) The insurance form is just a regular one like for in the States -- you just have to put where it is going and the dollar amount you want to insure it for. They'll add the package weight and other info. There are two customs forms, one for under 4 lbs. and another for anything over that. The first is very simple, the latter is more detailed but still not bad. There is a place to mark "gift" -- be sure and do that so they don't have a problem with paying duty fees. I'd ask Pia if she knows whether insurance will help or hurt. One of our missionaries in Ghana said insured packages are more in danger of being broken into -- people see that it is insured and think it's more valuable. But I have insured other packages to other missionaries without any problem. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to e-mail me. Packages this time of year overseas do take a lot longer than the Post Office estimates -- it may just be delayed. Also, the couple of times I checked on UPS vs. the US post office rates, UPS was much more expensive. I don't know if that is always true or if it is just true of certain destinations.
I'm amazed that you started on Christmas 2009 already!! That's one way to get it done, though.
I am glad you had a great Christmas! Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Hi Barb,
Can I just tell you that the Beth Moore devo was absolutely fantastic? LOVED it!
Sounds like you had a good Christmas, and snow to boot, you lucky woman you. We STILL have our A/C cranked. But the cool air is headed our way soon. On Thursday it will only be in the mid-50's for a high. Brrrrr.
LOL
Your grandson is precious, you are so blessed to have him near you.
Happy New Year, Barb! Many, many blessings to you and your family.
What a wonderful holiday you had! Ours was wonderful as well. I have had two gals from the exchange tell me they have not received there gifts so I am praying. I did contact them to see if they did send something but have not heard back. Out of 70 that is not bad odds. I pray Pia receives your gifts soon. I just got my stocking exchange box Thursday... It took awhile and was great.
Hugs to you! God Bless and enjoy your spinner!!
Good Evening Barb,
Oh your Christmas looks wonderful and I'm glad yall had the time together. We had ours on Christmas Eve here at our house this year and I loved it. Ours was simplified as well. My Mom had brought a ham already sliced with pineapples on top, several different kinds of pies, a cheeseball and some crackers, I had fixed potato salad, had an Hore'derve tray of olives, pickles, cocktail sausages, and shrimp, and my Mother-In-Law brought some brownies and sugar cookies. It felt so good not having to stay in the kitchen and waiting on everyone. We sat all of our food up on a table my Mom brought up here and had the buffet style as well. So much easier. That Cameron is growing so much and is so adorable. I had even bought some Christmas Paper Plates and we used those to eat out of. I had some styrofoam cups as well. Anything to make it easy huh? LOL. I love the snow yall got on Christmas Eve. The last picture kind of reminds me of "A Starry Night" with the snow in the background the way it was taken. We don't hardly get any snow here either, so when we do get snow, we enjoy it and cherish every minute of it. I love your new Salad Spinner. I know that will come in handy for you. Be sure to let us know how the Chocolate Chip cookies turn out. We still have our tree up but we are going to take it down tomorrow. We usually leave it up till after the first, but I don't think hubby will be home this coming weekend, so that is why we are doing it tomorrow. I love the beautiful frame that Pia sent you. Sometimes things get lost in the mail especially around Christmas. And with all the mail going out for Christmas, it may be taking longer too. Hopefully no one else got it and she will get the first package you sent her. Now I'm jealous that you have some coffee from Hawaii. LOL. Your just gonna have to share it with us. LOL. It's making my mouth water and now I have a taste for some coffee. LOL. Take care my friend and "THANK YOU" for sharing your Christmas with us. I so enjoyed it. May God Bless You and Yours. "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to you and yours from our Family.
Hugs,
Karen H.
P.S. Good luck on learning to knit again. I would love to learn how to do that myself, but I just don't think I would comprehend it all. LOL.
I enjoyed reading about your wonderful Christmas celebrations. A white Christmas...how wonderful! We moved to Texas this past year from Idaho. The kids were pining for snow, but I'm afraid we will have to visit CO to see any white stuff.
I was glad to read your family is dealing well with your grandson's diagnosis. Let me offer a bit of encouragement for you. Dh was diagnosed at the age of six. He recently celebrated his 40th birthday and has lived a very active and completely healthy life, with no complications. Diabetes is a very manageable disease if you take care of yourself. He has been on the pump for five years now and it has made a world of difference as well. My husband even goes so far as to say he is thankful for the diabetes because of the discipline it has taught him.
May you and your family have a blessed 2008!
Angela
Happy new Years to you too. It sounds like you all had a wonderful Christmas and the slippers on Cameron's little feet are adorable..Miller got Barney ones...he loves his too. I'm so so glad you got snow...we didnt but I'm glad you did. Maybe we will get some kind of snow before winter is over. We are going to dinner for New Years and to a friends house for games....the kids are going to grandma's////no heavy partying here though..we just enjoy the company. And I have been really sick and just want the company really....I will talk to you soon.
I only want to say...it's nice to see you back. I've missed your warmth in writing.
I was just like Cameron on about Thursday...I basically laid around all day just like that (only without a sippy cup.)
So glad you all had a nice Christmas, Barb. And we had snow on Christmas day ourselves, which is also very rare and exciting!
I meant to add that Cameron is getting so big! What a cutie he is.
I know Pia- the photo frame is so beautiful she sent! Mandy and Aaron look wonderful in it!
Too bad that she never yet received those handmade ornaments and the Willow Tree...how sweet that you want to send more.
You're the second one to mention black eyed peas on New Years...I'm not familiar with this tradition- even though my dad was from Texas and fixed that on many occasions. (I find if you slather on the butter and salt, they're not too bad! LOL)
So good to get your update...a very Happy New Year to you and your whole family, Barb!
We got snow too, the day after Christmas! It was so pretty though!
We did the same menu for our main Christmas and it sure was easy (and tasty too). Glad you had such a nice Christmas!
♥
annie
You know, that OXO salad spinner is a huge hit around here, too--not for lettuce, but for cars. They boys love to spin their cars in it. Why, I have no idea. But when I do put lettuce in it, it works great :)
And YAY! that you're going to start knitting again! I hope you love it :)
Happy New Year!! Love to all of you!! I didn't send out cards this year, so I'm sending you a mental hug instead xoxo
Hi Barb! I've been absent myself for the past two weeks, it feels like forever. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. I'm liking the idea of the cold buffet.
My mom's birthday is March 3rd, it's a great day for a birthday!
Laura
It is good to see you back Barb,and your Christmas sounds lovely. We have also simplified ours and it works really well, and we have been chatting to friends over the Christmas season and will be simplifying even more next year. Our focus will be on homemade gifts, not bought ones, and I do know that the gift vouchers I made for things like a pot of soup were a great hit!
Having Diana home has been unbelievably lovely. Busy, but wonderful.
Happy New Year! I really hope 2008 is a wonderful year for you all.
Thanks for sharing Barb. What a pain about the package to the Philipines. Cameron is adorable. I have a new grandbaby due in 2008 also! We stay in for New Years too. I mentioned the shortening, but forgot that I also add extra flour. Sometimes I use 1 cup of whole wheat pastry flour in place of 1 cup all purpose.
Happy New Year!
Sounds like a wonderful Christmas! The simplified meal sounds wonderful, and I know your family was happy to have more time with you:-)
Love the picture of Cameron sacked out after a day of festivities- what a cutie!! Sweeting babies just steal your heart, don't they?
Happy New Year!
Enjoy your new year, and I'll be anxious to see the baby blanket and all the other crafted treasures from Casa Barb. Blessings. gretchen
Dearest Barb,
I so enjoyed reading all about your Christmas and it all sounded delightful and relaxing. I love the idea of a cold buffet for Christmas dinner...will have to think about that the next time I expect a big gang over at Christmas:-)
I wouldn't worry yet about Pia not having received your parcel...I'm used to sending parcels overseas and even by airmail, it can take up to 2 months for them to receive it. Geez, just from Canada to the States, by airmail, it takes up to 2 weeks! lol
New Year is a time for celebration of love, of life, of friendship. It's the time to thank God for wonderful friends, and to bring to their lives as much magic as they bring to ours...So here's celebrating our friendship and praying that its magic continues forever. Happy New Year to you and yours dear Barb! xoxo
Barb, I would give the package some more time.....the other day I got a package in the mail that took over 2 weeks to go from Seattle to Illinois!! A Christmas package I sent from IL to NC long ago hasn't arrived there either. And in October I got a book from Switzerland that had been mailed in July!! So don't give up yet! : )
Glad you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Tell us what your planning on for your knitting project!
Merry New Year!
I rarely comment, Barb, but wanted to pop in today to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. As a grandmother, I totally relate to you on many levels - your enthusiasm and energy are contagious. May your 2008 be filled with blessings in abundance.
In Hungarian tradition, it's a pot of lentils for prosperity on New Year's Day. I wonder how all these beans got equated with luck and prosperity?
Your Christmas sounds lovely, Barb, and it still sounds like there was quite a spread out on Christmas Eve. Sometimes change can be so good. Why are we so afraid of it?
Hang on another week with the ornament exchange. I'm sure it's the international customs and how busy they are. I haven't recieved something my hubby ordered yet either.
I'm packing everything but the Christmas tree up today. That I'll save for tomorrow. I'm actually craving getting back to routine and "normal".
P.S. I loved today's devotional.
I'm so glad you had a nice Christmas with your family and that it was stress-free with the buffet!
How frustrating that your recipient hasn't received your gift yet - I bet it just really does take several weeks for international. I also don't think the paperwork to have it insured is THAT much trouble, shame on that clerk! You already have to fill out a customs form to send it, I don't think there is a whole lot more for sending it insured or certified. Hope she gets it soon!
Your Christmas sounds like it was wonderful!
I've had packages headed overseas take up to a MONTH, so it might be just going verrrry slowwwwwwly.
Happy New Year!
what a cute monkey
wow!!! 4 hours
Enjoy your time with Cameron
Happy New Years to you and yours
Hope its a good one for you
Peace be with you and yours
Jen at http://my3boysandi.wordpress.com/
Happy New Year, Barb!
And I'm with you. We're totally ditching the big formal Christmas meal next year. I'm already looking forward to less stress. :-)
You WON at Monopoly? Congrats!! I LOST at "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader", LOL! We answered more questions correctly, but we didn't walk away when we should have and lost all of our money...sigh.
A fifth grader would have known better!
I loved catching up with you Barb. So much news, so much fun, so much joy and lots to celebrate and be thankful for. Thanks for sharing your year with me.
Blessings in the New Year. Oh, and I will get around to posting SOON. Promise!
I'm glad you had such a nice Christmas, Barb. It all sounds so lovely. Blessings to you in the new year -- lots to look forward to with the new baby!
Snow on Christmas Eve...how perfect is that?!
Sounds like you had a great Christms, Barb! I love Cameron's gigantic monkey, and yes, heaven help me, but he DOES look just like Clark Griswold in that movie. heee!
You're going to have a great 2008, I just know it! :)
Happy, healthy and blessed New Year to you, Rob and the family, Barb.
Love you, sweet friend. ;o)
I'm heading out the door in just a bit with my sisters Cecil and Sue to meet Jessica, Jason and Emmy at Dixie Cafe for lunch, and from there, who knows where we'll end up?
Have a great first day of 2008! ;o)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Hi Barb,
I made some chocolate chip cookies the other day and added 3/4 cup more flour...and they turned out okay. I still need to do some tweaking! I hope yours turn out better than mine. And if they do, you'll have to post your "adjusted recipe", especially for altitude-challenged bakers like myself.
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. I hope 2008 is filled with blessings for you and your sweet family!
black-eyed peas for luck, eh? now that's the 2nd time this week I've heard such a thing! so what about my sauerkraut and pork we just had? :)
Your Christmas sounded wonderful! Cameron is getting so big! And I liked your easy buffet decision- great idea.
blessings to you for 2008!
hi, barb. i've been away from the computer for quite a while and it's just now that i read your post. that's a lovely picture you got there. really glad you liked the picture frame. anyway, i already got the notice from the post office and i'm going to get the package next week. i'm still excited to see what you've sent me. it may be too late to display it at home but i will definitely use these for the coming christmas this 2008. i will be showing everyone what you gave me on my blog. i'm proud to have gotten them from a friend i fondly call super mom. love yah! (((HUGS)))
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