Swinging on Birches

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was amazing. On par with The Giver or Number the Stars or any other adolescent lit. I love that it's written from death's perspective, too. One of those books that takes a week to process after you're done reading. Wow. View all my reviews

Bryan told me I should post this.  I don't really have anything more important to say today, so I'll share my theory about salad. When you make a salad, you should use no more than 5 ingredients per salad. This excluded potato salad, jello salad, macaroni salad, etc.  Those are in their own category. But, a lettuce salad should have no more than 5 ingredients.  I used to make salads with approximately 5 million vegetables or whatever I had left in the fridge, and it's just not the same.  A few flavors makes for a delicious salad that allows you to taste each ingredient. Tonight's awesome salad that my hubby even raved about: 1. spinach 2. red pepper 3. craisins 4. gorgonzola cheese 5. Certified Angus Beef flat iron steak I thought about adding walnuts for more texture, but then I would be breaking my own rules, wouldn't I? Do you have any food rules?

This recipe is courtesy of Southern Living Magazine and my friend LeeAnn. I've made it several times now, and each time it is amazing and perfect for a fall or winter evening.  Just a warning, though--probably not a recipe for most little ones as it does have some bite to it. Note that I bolded and italicized the part about puttingit into the food processor in batches.  I promise this will save you a BIG mess in the kitchen.  You think I'd have learned after making it repeatedly... 2 T butter or margarine 1 large onion chopped (I use half an onion as hubby isn't a huge onion fan) 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 5 cups chicken broth (or stock) 1 large baking potato, peeled and chopped 1 1/4 t salt 1/2 t chili powder 1/2 t cumin (I used more because I love the flavor) 1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin (Or a fresh pumpkin, roasted.  I bet you could use butternut squash, too.) 1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro 2 c milk 3 T fresh lime jui...

At the small group Bible study that Bryan and I attend, we are reading through the Book of James. Tonight was the first night I was able to attend, and even though I don't know everyone there, you know how you just get  a feeling when something starts about whether or not it's going to be good?  I think it is. We talked about a number of wonderfully thought-provoking, introspective items, but when my friend was finishing our prayers for the night, she, along with good ol' Jimmy, got me thinking about having the courage to be quiet. James 1:19-20 reads, 'You must understand this, my beloved:  let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness.' Let's be honest.  You've read my posts.  At the very least, you can tell that I'm not slow to speak or slow to anger.  Those stick out for me like VERY large and sore thumbs that have probably been hit by a number of things and continued to...

Well, I figured it was about that time.  I mean, he's 22 months old.  I can just picture him at his 2nd birthday celebration with it hanging out of his mouth.  Or worse yet, the screaming 5-year-old on "Toddlers and Tiaras."  The other two (younger) kids at our daddy daycare haven't had theirs for awhile.  Our relatives are asking about it.  One of my awesome new-age momma friends with a little boy the same age has even managed to part with it.  The time had come to get rid of the binky. We had been planning to over summer.  Then over winter break.  But, there was always an excuse.  He was teething.  Or sick.  Or we were sick.  Or tired.  But, finally, we just had to bite the bullet. A little backstory: Wardie LOVES Yo Gabba Gabba.  Sort of a weird show, but all in all, I can deal with it.  Anyway, there's an episode about babies that we've seen a bajillion times, and he loves the ...

Does this face look like it's capable of doing something mischievous? Yes, you say?  Well, you're probably right.  Especially in light of yesterday's exploits. I have a nutcracker sitting on our fireplace mantel  from when I saw the ballet as a little girl.  Wardie, of course, loves it since it's breakable and up too high for him to reach.  Shocking.  He calls him "man" and loves to hold and play with him.  (I'm not too worried as it's already been well-loved throughout the years, but it is still special to me). So, yesterday I came home from work to my wonderful husband and Wardie, who had been spending the day together.  Wardie asked for the "man" and curiously, he was nowhere to be found.  Hubby thought he had been put somewhere special, but clearly, that was not the case.  So, "man" was missing. Finally, Wardie ran to the stairs and said, "up."  He then proceeded to climb the stairs and run into ...

I'm not apologizing. Well, that's partially true.  I'll apologize if I do something wrong or if I offend someone of if I hurt somebody.  But, I'm tired of being made to feel bad for who I am. Like everyone else, I'm a complicated human being.  A mixed bag.  When I try and describe myself, I find that I am passionate, happy, tired, angry, loving, excited, wondering, child-like, mature, quick-witted, a slow learner.  I believe in relaxation, but that idle hands are indeed the devil's workshop.  I believe in cooking dinner and ordering a pizza when you're tired.  I believe in a strong family and supportive friends.  I believe that issues should be addressed in a kind manner.  I believe humor can solve many problems.  I believe in technology and in candles.  I believe in helping others to get started, but working to do the best you can to stay on your own two feet.  And a number of other things, I'm sure. I think som...