Perfecting the Gravy...

One of "My Mans" favorite breakfasts is bisquits and gravy. This morning I had a church meeting early, and when I got home... the boys wanted some yummy warm breakfast. It sounded good because it is so cold outside here.

So while I was making the gravy, I got to thinking about my history of gravy making. It certainly was not anything I would have tackled in my first 10 years of marriage. But after that I became more confident in goofing up recipes, so I called my Mom to find out how to make it.

When I learned it was made from fat... it grossed me out. But being a true southern girl, I loved gravy myself and it would be worth getting over that little known fact.

Of all of the things I have learned to cook, gravy is not one that comes easy to me. But over time I have come to understand it's chemistry and I can make a batch without lumps now. I am still perfecting the other ingredients, it is not user friendly, and sometimes comes out too salty, or too bland. It is a process, and it takes tasting all along the way to get it right.

I still don't proclaim to be a good gravy maker, but I can cover a bisquit with something edible. I was thinking about how I am like making gravy... I started out adulthood with all the ingredients, but it wasn't a given that I would turn out right with just that.

I think I am like gravy, sometimes I am too much this, or too much that. But I keep working on myself, my talents, my shortcomings. And over some time, I am much better at getting through the day than I used to be. But I still needs lots of work, and fine tuning. I am not a good listener at times. I am working on that allot lately. I think I don't focus and have too many thoughts going through my head to remember the details of what someone else is telling me, I hear them, but it doesn't stick because I am moving on to the next thought before they are through.

Hopefully one of these days I will be really pleased with my gravy, and someday I will be able to look back on all the qualities I have worked on in my life and be really pleased how far I have come. In the meantime, I will remember the process and try to eliminate those ingredients that leave a bad taste in my mouth!

Bon Appetite!

The Post Office...

As much as I despise going to the Post Office I can't imagine having this job... what a horror to me not ever able to get your job finished. There is always more piles the next day. Not my idea of job security at all.

I am happy to report I got my holiday boxes off. It was a rotten experience at the Post Office, but I found some things and people to laugh about while I was waiting in line this time. I only have a few cards and a couple of missionary letters to send now. Whew!!

It does make me really appreciate packages in the mail now... I will try to keep that in mind and how much I love getting mail, the next time I have to send a package. It might help with some of the pain of going to the Post Office.

I did hear about a little Post Office in the boonies out of a house not too far from home, and the postal worker sounds like a dear lady... they just have shorter hours and close during lunch time. I might have to venture out and try it... I might learn to love sending mail. I want to, I really do!

The Spirit of Christmas

When I returned home, rested, I felt like I could tackle putting out more decorations other than just the tree. Some of my favorites are the pictures I have each year of my son... I pushed it all the way to age 12 before he pushed back and finally said no more.
It is fun to look back on each year and how he grew.
This is one of my favorites... he was deathly afraid of the big guy in the red suit, but my Dad managed to get him in the picture for the quickest snap before he fled the scene in tears. I remember being so dissapointed not to have a cute picture in his cute Christmas outfit. And I couldn't see his face. I was horrified I had let the season go by without upholding to my traditional photo with Santa.

I was really missing the boat back then. It is my favorite picture now, it helps keep me grounded on what the season really means to me, and I try really hard not to get wrapped up in the things that are not going to be remembered or seen the same way tomorrow.

All the hand made paper decorations over the years. I don't get these anymore, so they are really precious to me. But I try not to cry my eyes out anymore when one doesn't make it through the year in storage... I learned that is really hard on my boys, and they are just paper.

A small collection of Nativities. This is my first one. I never owned one until about 6 years ago when my SIL Patsy sent this to us. It was perfect... I can't believe I never had one before that.... she probably couldn't either, hence the gift.

One year after Christmas they had this set at the $1 store and it went with my bear themed tree. But no sentiment to it.

My Mother sent this one to me, it belonged to my Grandmother, so it has sentimental value. I have only had it a couple of years now.

My MIL gave us this one... one of my favorites, its very contemporary, and when the lights from the tree reflect off of it, its so sparkly and pretty!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt wonderful putting out more decorations to help set a cluttered Christmas tone in the house. One night my Man even let me play Alan Jackson Christmas music at dinner time, and we TURNED OFF THE TV. I know... that is a Christmas miracle in itself. I am always the one who is giddy and full of joy during the holidays. Nothing better than a clean house with music and the glow of lights all around, right.

Last night the boys went out with the church youth group caroling and I was home alone, and still feel like I am flailing with the whole spirit of Christmas. With all the snowmen, and reindeer, and santa, and poinsettas, and angels and trees and presents of the world... it's no wonder we are dazed and confused.

I really had feelings I wanted the whole thing to be over already... who was that in my head? I am always sad when it all ends and I have to take down the tree! I was beginning to realize how sometimes people get sad over the holidays... for no reason. I have everything to be grateful for, and we are so blessed, how could I not be feeling giddy? But I wasn't... how would I turn it around? I could not go through the next 12 days feeling this way!

I turned to the scriptures, and of course they always put things right back into perspective. It is not about any of that stuff, not the money, not the gifts... I can't forget the true meaning of the Christmas Spirit, EVER!!

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TOST LUKE
CHAPTER 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Puppy Naps...

Taylor has grown so much in the time I was in Seattle, it is hard to believe. Her little legs are now getting long and gangley and she is falling all over herself from lack of coordination. But she has good balance and will lift one paw and balance on just 3 when she is getting ready to stalk something.

Morgan has been so good in training with her, by the time I made it home... they had her going to the back door when she needs to go outside. She just stands there, and you have to be on your toes, because she won't wait for very long, but that is HUGE, compared to following her around everywhere waiting on edge to scoop her up if she even looked like she was going to squat. I was really happy about her progress. The boys have done a great job!

She is still taking little puppy naps, which helps allot when I am trying to get some work done around here. And Morgan always has a watchful eye on her for me, and lets me know if she wakes up to go outside. My Man gave her her shots yesterday, so those made her more sleepy than usual.

I am happy to report "Taylor Training" is going well!

Seattle Summary...

My Weekend trip to Seattle was wonderful... of course it went way too quickly, but a good time was had by all!

Here is a summary, in no particular order.

Of course my first annual Cookie Day... yes this is a picture with electrical and drilling repair. Who knew it would take part of the Boeing Engineering Crew to keep things going, but when the krumkake machines break down, you do what it takes to get them back up and running again.

There was the gingerbread house construction crew, and decorators.

Some cookie projects even required safety glasses.

But Quality Control was the best job in the house.

The Bridal Shower... for my nephews finace.

"My Mountain"

Some have tried to claim it as their mountain, but she is mine, she comes out when I arrive. She always puts a smile on my face. She is so beautiful and majestic. One of Gods most beautiful creations, Mt. Rainier!

I got to see another one of Gods beautiful creations, my sisters new Grandaughter Brooklynn. She is the cutest thing in pink ever!

Yes, we are all animal lovers, but my Sister is the most level headed one in the bunch... this is Charolette, and she doesn't require food or water, just love.

I did find some quiet time to finish my Christmas Cards!

I got to go see my Brother and SIL's house all decorated for Christmas!

And Mom's collection of all the Santa pictures over the years... these are precious.

Santa came to Ravensdale... our friends company party. Santa comes and so do all the kids from miles around to flock in for good food, toys, and to bring their list to Santa Claus.

I flew into downtown one day to drop off some work with my Sister, and I forget about the beautiful sights all around in the NW. As we came over the hill, the view of the water jumps right up at you.

And the trees covered in tiny white lights on the streets downtown.

(no picture available, cause it didn't happen ~ but I wanted it to really bad)

This is me wanting more than anything to see my Niece and her family, but it didn't happen. I was really bummed out, and I love her to pieces. I know she will understand and not hold it against me. Because I really really wanted to see them.

:(

My Sisters dog "Roxanne"... she is deathly afraid of cameras. But I was able to have my Mom sneak one in when she wasn't looking. Its a weird phobia for a dog, but it is v ery real for her. She is terrified to even see one in your hands.

I will have to practice my self portraits... I am horrible at them, but this is me and Mom at Costco.


Me and Sis at Nordstrom. I know, Im gonna have to work on getting the sign in, I was just happy not to cut one of us out. I could have fooled ya into thinking it was a picture of Seattle's Bluest skies... but no really there is a Nordstrom sign behind us. Oh well.

And when I returned home, my little Iron Chef had been busy working on a new zuchini sauce with beef and pasta. And clear mountain water with a slice of lime.

My boys missed me and were happy for me to be home!

I am so blessed!!!!